Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC Picks and Predictions: MLS Playoffs Continue

Nate Hornung

Written by: Nate Hornung

Published: Tue Oct 28, 2025, 2:35 pm ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Wilfred Zaha is suspended for tonight's MLS Playoff contest - Charlotte New York City Picks

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Needing something to bet on this Tuesday? Well the MLS has us covered with a stand alone Round One match tonight, as the playoffs continue. The No. 4 and No. 5 clubs in the Eastern Conference meet in North Carolina, as Charlotte FC hosts New York City FC. Just three points separated these teams during the regular season, and now they go head to head when it really matters. Let's get into our favorite picks in this contest.

Check out the best odds on the market at our top online sportsbooks, for tons of picks in different soccer leagues across the world.

Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC Betting Insights

In two head to head matches this year, the home team won both contests in shutout fashion. Back in July in Charlotte, they took down New York City 2-0, despite having just three shots on target and controlling under 40% of possession. The visitors clearly spent plenty of time defending the lead they gained in the 14โ€ฒ minute and extended in the 81โ€ฒ.

Back in September, New York City returned the favor. At Yankee Stadium, they beat Charlotte 2-0 when they came to town. The hosts scored on two penalty kicks, in the 11โ€ฒ and 58โ€ฒ minutes, and Charlotte had one saved in the 69โ€ฒ. New York City's only shots on target were the two PKs that went in, getting outshot 15-5 overall. However, they still controlled over 57% of possession.

Will they be able to control the ball for as long on the road in this playoff contest?

Matchup Information โ€“ Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC โ€“ October 28

  • Venue & Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
  • Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
  • Kick Off: 6:45 p.m. Eastern
  • Broadcast: FS1

Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC Betting Odds

Odds are courtesy of our friends at BetOnline, as of October 28, 2025, at 1:50 p.m. eastern. Sign up today with Promo Code BNBOL55 for a 55% deposit bonus, and start betting at the sportsbook with the most competitive odds in the industry, and a wide variety of unique markets not offered anywhere else.

Moneyline

  • Charlotte FC +180
  • Draw +253
  • New York City FC +153

Draw No Bet

  • Charlotte FC +105
  • New York City FC -125

Total

  • Over 2.5 (-125)
  • Under 2.5 (+105)

Charlotte will unfortunately be missing forward Wilfred Zaha, who drew a red card in their final match against the Philadelphia Union. This certainly hinders the hosts' attack, as Zaha has 10 goals and assists in 31 matches this MLS season, ranking No. 2 on the team in both categories. He is one of 12 players to post double digit goals and assists in the regular season.

But he will not appear in Charlotte's opening playoff match, leaving them plenty of production to try and make up.

Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC MLS Picks and Predictions

Hannes Wolf and New York City FC head to Charlotte to open the MLS Playoffs - Charlotte New York City Picks

Hannes Wolf and New York City FC head to Charlotte to open the MLS Playoffs

Best Bet: Charlotte/New York City Under 2.5 (+105) BetOnline

Here we go again backing the under. Both matches saw just two goals total, and both of New York City's came from the penalty spot. Four of the last five head to head contests have stayed under 2.5 as well, the lone over doing so in stoppage time back in 2024.

Without Zaha, I see Charlotte being a bit more conservative, not wanting to play for their lives in New York next match. Dating back to their first meeting, Charlotte won 11 of their last 13 matches to soar up the Eastern Conference standings. They will not want that to go to waste, and I see them coming out very focused on defense.

As for New York City, their back line is simply one of the best. They were No. 3 in the East in goals allowed, with Charlotte also ranking in the top five as well. In the regular season, New York City had 10 of 17 road matches stay under, with four shutouts. Charlotte only had 8/17 home matches stay under, but they shutout their visiting opponent eight times as well.

Tonight, I see both teams being cautious in their playoff opener, knowing they have more chances to be aggressive.

Prediction: 0-0 Draw (+1100)

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Nate Hornung
Nate Hornung

Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.

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