New York City FC vs. Charlotte FC Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 1 November 2025

On 1st November 2025, New York City FC will host Charlotte FC at the iconic Yankee Stadium in a thrilling Major League Soccer round of 16 clash. The match kicks off at 19:30 and promises to be an exciting encounter with high stakes.

New York City FC, under the guidance of coach Pascal Jansen, come into this fixture as the bookmaker’s favourite with odds of 1.73 to secure victory. They boast a strong home record, having scored in 88% of their matches at Yankee Stadium this season. Their recent form, marked by a win over Charlotte FC just days ago, strengthens their position.

Charlotte FC, led by Dean Smith, face challenges, especially with injury setbacks, but they have shown resilience in their away games, scoring in 82% of them. However, their recent form against NYCFC has been less than stellar, including a 0-1 loss in their last encounter.

With NYCFC’s solid defensive record and home advantage, our match prediction leans towards a home win, making them a strong bet to close out this series.

New York City FC vs Charlotte FC Prediction & Betting Tip

New York City FC come into this decisive playoff tie with the advantage of having won the first leg and the comfort of playing at home. Their strong record at Yankee Stadium, where they’ve scored in 88% of matches this season, bolsters their chances. Historically, NYCFC have performed well against Charlotte FC, accentuated by a solid defensive record and recent victories.

Charlotte FC, despite showing resilience in away games, have found it tough against NYCFC, as seen in their recent 0-1 loss. Injuries further limit their defensive options, tipping the balance further in NYCFC’s favour.

• NYCFC has a comfortable home record, scoring in 88% of their matches.
• Recent head-to-head victories, including a 1-0 win, give NYCFC a psychological edge.
• Charlotte FC are weakened by injury setbacks, reducing their defensive strength.

New York City FC vs Charlotte FC Odds

Assessing the betting odds for the upcoming clash between New York City FC and Charlotte FC provides keen insight into this high-stakes encounter. The bookmakers have positioned New York City FC as the clear favourites, reflecting their strong home record and consistent performance this season.

New York City FC’s odds of 1.73 suggest a high level of confidence in their ability to secure a win at Yankee Stadium. Historically, their performance against Charlotte FC, especially at home, has been robust.

A draw at 3.82 and a win for Charlotte FC at 4.25 highlight the uphill battle Dean Smith’s side faces, especially given their injury challenges and recent head-to-head results. With NYCFC boasting a solid defensive record and scoring in 88% of home games, they appear well-positioned for a decisive win.

New York City FC Team Analysis

New York City FC Recent Performance

New York City FC’s recent form has been a mixed bag, registering two wins and three losses in their last five games. This includes a crucial 1-0 away victory over Charlotte FC on October 28, 2025. They have also seen off the New York Red Bulls with a 3-2 win, showcasing resilience in high-stakes matches.

However, the team has also suffered from some lapses, particularly in matches against the Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami CF. NYCFC managed to keep a clean sheet in only one of their last five games, reflecting a need for defensive stability.

On average, New York City FC have scored 1.00 goals per game in their last five outings. Despite facing some injury setbacks, Pascal Jansen’s side has performed admirably at home, scoring in 88% of their matches at Yankee Stadium this season. Their offensive capabilities, underlined by the efforts of Alonso Martinez, make them formidable opponents in this playoff clash. Given their strong home record and recent head-to-head success against Charlotte FC, NYCFC looks poised to capitalize on their home advantage.

New York City FC Key Players

For New York City FC, Alonso Martinez stands out as the team’s focal point in attack, being the top scorer for the side, though with just one goal to his name. His contributions up front will be critical, particularly against a Charlotte FC defense that has had its moments of vulnerability.

In midfield, the presence of veterans like Maxi Moralez ensures a blend of creativity and stability, while Andres Perea and Aiden O’Neill will look to control the tempo and provide cover for the defense.

Defensively, the combination of Thiago Martins and Justin Haak in the center-back positions will be pivotal in neutralizing Charlotte’s forwards and maintaining a solid backline.

The expected lineup for NYCFC:

• Goalkeeper: Matt Freese
• Defenders: Tayvon Gray, Thiago Martins, Justin Haak, Raul Gustavo, Kevin O’Toole
• Midfielders: Andrés Perea, Aiden O’Neill, Maxi Moralez, Nicolás Fernández Mercau
• Forward: Alonso Martinez

Key individual battles to watch include Alonso Martinez against Charlotte’s Tim Ream and the midfield duel between Maxi Moralez and Ashley Westwood.

New York City FC Suspensions & Injuries

New York City FC are currently dealing with a couple of injury setbacks that could impact their lineup. Malachi Jones and Keaton Parks are both sidelined with leg injuries and are expected to return in mid-November 2025. Their absence limits Pascal Jansen’s options, especially in midfield where Parks’ experience and Jones’s versatility have been valuable throughout the season.

However, NYCFC can take heart from the fact that no key players are suspended for this crucial playoff clash. The team will be relying heavily on their current squad depth to navigate the challenges posed by these injuries. Maintaining their strong home record and leveraging their historical success against Charlotte FC will be essential in overcoming these hurdles as they aim to advance further in the playoffs.

New York City FC Tactics and Formation

New York City FC Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Alonso Martinez
• Midfield Duo: Andrés Perea, Aiden O’Neill
• Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Reliance on maintaining possession and using the width for attacking plays

Pascal Jansen’s setup typically sees NYCFC lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Their strategy is heavily dependent on Alonso Martinez up front, who leads the attack. The midfield, featuring Andrés Perea and Aiden O’Neill as pivotal figures, aims to control the game’s tempo and link up play between defense and attack effectively.

Kevin O’Toole and Tayvon Gray as full-backs provide additional width and support to the offense, while the defensive pairing of Thiago Martins and Justin Haak is tasked with keeping the back tight. NYCFC’s approach often involves utilizing the width of the pitch and timing their attacking surges, especially during the 61-75 minute interval, to break down the opposition’s defenses.

Charlotte FC Team Analysis

Charlotte FC Recent Performance

Charlotte FC’s recent form has been somewhat inconsistent, with two wins and three losses in their last five outings. Their victories include a notable 2-0 home win against Philadelphia Union and a 1-0 away triumph over DC United, showcasing their capacity to perform on the road.

However, Charlotte’s last encounter was a narrow 0-1 loss to New York City FC, which might weigh on their confidence heading into this critical playoff fixture. They have managed to keep two clean sheets in their last five games, pointing to some resilience in defense despite recent struggles.

Charlotte FC have averaged 0.80 goals per game over their last five matches, indicating a need for greater offensive output, especially against a strong defensive unit like NYCFC. With Dean Smith guiding them, Charlotte will aim to leverage their away scoring ability, having netted in 82% of away games this season. However, the task ahead remains challenging given their mixed form and recent head-to-head results against NYCFC.

Charlotte FC Key Players

Charlotte FC will be relying heavily on the performances of several key players as they step into this crucial fixture against New York City FC. Although they do not have a standout top scorer, Dean Smith’s team has shown a collective effort in both midfield and forward positions.

Wilfried Zaha, coming in as a left forward, will be crucial in providing offensive power. His ability to take on defenders and create scoring opportunities will be vital for Charlotte’s attacking strategy. The midfield trio of Djibril Diani, Ashley Westwood, and Brandt Bronico will play an essential role in maintaining possession and linking up play between the defense and the attack.

Defensively, the experience of Tim Ream will be crucial in stabilizing the backline. He will likely face off against NYCFC’s Alonso Martinez, making this an individual battle to watch.

Expected lineup for Charlotte FC:

• Goalkeeper: Kristijan Kahlina
• Defenders: Nathan Byrne, Tim Ream, Adilson Malanda, Harry Toffolo
• Midfielders: Djibril Diani, Ashley Westwood, Brandt Bronico
• Forwards: Kerwin Vargas, Idan Toklomati, Wilfried Zaha

Charlotte FC Suspensions & Injuries

Charlotte FC enter this crucial playoff match with a significant injury concern. Key player Pep Biel is sidelined with a knee injury and is not expected to return until mid-November 2025. Biel’s absence will undeniably affect Charlotte’s midfield dynamics, as his playmaking skills and vision have been pivotal for the team throughout the season.

On the brighter side, there are no players currently suspended, allowing Dean Smith to field a full-strength squad aside from Biel’s absence. However, the injury will require tactical adjustments, with perhaps more emphasis on collective defensive strategies and midfield cohesion to compensate for the missing creativity Biel usually provides.

Overall, the injury could tilt the balance slightly in favor of New York City FC, who will be keen to exploit any weaknesses in Charlotte’s setup.

Charlotte FC Tactics and Formation

Charlotte FC Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Wilfried Zaha
• Midfield Trio: Djibril Diani, Ashley Westwood, Brandt Bronico
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Utilising pace on the wings and maintaining a compact defensive shape

Charlotte FC, guided by Dean Smith, typically line up in a 4-3-3 formation, aimed at balancing defensive solidity with forward momentum. Wilfried Zaha, crucial in their attack, often looks to leverage his pace and dribbling skills to unsettle defenses.

The midfield trio of Djibril Diani, Ashley Westwood, and Brandt Bronico is pivotal in maintaining possession and transitioning the play. Diani provides defensive cover, Westwood orchestrates the play, and Bronico connects the lines.

Defensively, Tim Ream anchors a backline that has shown resilience, evidenced by recent clean sheets. Charlotte FC’s strategy often involves exploiting the flanks, aiming to deliver quick crosses and capitalising on Zaha’s agility to penetrate opposition defenses.

New York City FC vs Charlotte FC Head-to-Head Statistics

New York City FC and Charlotte FC have faced each other five times recently, with NYCFC holding a slight edge in their encounters. The last meeting, just a few days ago on October 28, 2025, saw NYCFC clinch a 1-0 victory in the Major League Soccer Playoffs. This win followed a 2-0 home win for NYCFC over Charlotte on September 20, 2025, indicating a strong recent form against their opponents.

Despite NYCFC’s recent dominance, Charlotte FC did manage a 2-0 victory at home back in July 2025, showcasing their ability to bounce back. However, NYCFC’s overall head-to-head record is bolstered by a 2-1 win on April 27, 2024, at Yankee Stadium and another narrow 1-0 win on February 25, 2024, away at Charlotte.

Overall, NYCFC has managed to win four out of the last five encounters, proving their tactical superiority and adaptability in these matchups.

Odds accurate as of 30.10.2025 19:31, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.