New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

New York City II welcome FC Cincinnati II to Belson Stadium in MLS Next Pro Group Stage action on 23 May 2026. With both sides sitting in the lower half of the Eastern Conference picture, this clash has the feel of an early-season six-pointer between two developmental squads trying to stabilise inconsistent campaigns.

New York City II come in with 12 points from 9 matches, while FC Cincinnati II have collected 9 from 10. The hosts have been strong at Belson Stadium with three wins from four home league games, and their recent league form of “WLWLW” underlines a streaky but competitive side. Cincinnati’s “LLWWL” sequence and a perfect record of five defeats from five away fixtures highlight just how big a test this trip to New York could be.

With both teams conceding at nearly two goals per game across the campaign, this fixture shapes up as one of the more intriguing MLS Next Pro predictions this weekend. Bettors looking for New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II betting tips will be weighing the hosts’ home strength against Cincinnati II’s poor away numbers and the history of high-scoring head-to-head meetings.

New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II Key Stats

• New York City II have 12 points from 9 matches with 11 goals scored and 16 conceded in league play.
• In their latest meeting on 13 April 2026 in MLS Next Pro Group Stage at NKU Soccer Stadium, FC Cincinnati II beat New York City II 1-0.
• New York City II concede an average of 1.9 goals per match in the current MLS Next Pro campaign, while FC Cincinnati II also concede 1.9 per game.

New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 6 vs 7
• Points: 12 vs 9
• Goals For: 11 vs 12
• Goals Against: 16 vs 19
• Clean Sheets: 0 vs 2

In the Northeast Division standings, New York City II sit 6th with 12 points from 9 matches, having won 4 and lost 5 with a goal difference of -5 (11 scored, 16 conceded). FC Cincinnati II are directly below them in 7th on 9 points from 10 games, with 3 wins and 7 defeats and a goal difference of -7 (12 scored, 19 conceded). Both are in the bottom half of their division and Eastern Conference groupings, but New York City II hold the edge in points and have played one game fewer.

Home and away splits sharpen the contrast. New York City II have taken 9 points from 4 home matches (3 wins, 1 loss), scoring 5 and conceding 8, while FC Cincinnati II have lost all 5 away fixtures, scoring just 2 and conceding 12. Despite both sides leaking goals at 1.9 per game overall, Cincinnati’s inability to travel and New York’s modest but effective home record tilt the underlying numbers toward the hosts.

New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II Key Matchups

New York City II attack vs FC Cincinnati II defence

New York City II average 1.3 goals per match overall, with 6 goals in 4 home games (1.5 per home match). They have failed to score only once at home this season. FC Cincinnati II’s defence, particularly away from home, has struggled badly: they concede 2.4 goals per away match and have allowed 12 goals in 5 road fixtures. With New York City II creating consistent chances across both halves and Cincinnati II conceding heavily on their travels, the duel between the hosts’ forward line and the visitors’ back four looks decisive.

FC Cincinnati II late-game threat vs New York City II late-game frailty

FC Cincinnati II’s goals are spread but spike late: they have scored 4 goals between minutes 76-90 and 3 between 61-75 in league play, contributing to a total of 12. New York City II concede heavily after the break, with 5 goals shipped between 61-75 and 3 between 76-90 out of 17 conceded overall. If the match remains tight into the final quarter, Cincinnati II’s late scoring profile against a New York back line that often fades could keep the visitors in the contest despite their poor away record.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

This is a well-established MLS Next Pro matchup with a rich recent history. New York City II and FC Cincinnati II have met regularly since 2022, producing several high-scoring encounters and multiple games decided after penalties. Across the nine most recent meetings listed below, New York City II and FC Cincinnati II have traded runs of dominance, with both sides enjoying strong home performances at different times.

• 13 April 2026: FC Cincinnati II 1-0 New York City II (MLS Next Pro Group Stage)
• 6 July 2025: FC Cincinnati II 2-2 New York City II (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 22; FC Cincinnati II won 5-4 on penalties)
• 9 April 2025: New York City II 2-2 FC Cincinnati II (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 6; FC Cincinnati II won 5-3 on penalties)
• 30 September 2024: New York City II 3-1 FC Cincinnati II (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 40)
• 7 July 2024: FC Cincinnati II 1-1 New York City II (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 23; New York City II won 4-3 on penalties)

New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II Prediction

Form and underlying metrics point toward a tight but home-leaning contest. New York City II’s league form string of “WLWLW” and a 60% performance level over their last five matches contrast with FC Cincinnati II’s “LLWWL” and 40% form. New York City II score 1.3 goals per match and concede 1.9, while Cincinnati II sit at 1.2 scored and 1.9 conceded, but the away side’s five straight road defeats and meagre 0.4 goals per away match are a major red flag.

Head-to-head history is competitive, with Cincinnati II winning the most recent clash 1-0 at home on 13 April 2026, but overall comparison metrics still lean slightly toward New York City II. The prediction metrics give the hosts a 45% chance of victory, the draw 45%, and the away win only 10%, with advice favouring “New York City II or draw” on the double chance. With goals projections set conservatively under 2.5 for both sides, this looks more like a cagey, low-scoring encounter than some of their past shootouts.

Predicted Score: New York City II 1-0 FC Cincinnati II

New York City II League Form

WLWLW

FC Cincinnati II League Form

LLWWL

New York City II Possible Starting Lineup

B. Klein; K. Acito, Nico Cavallo, Maxwell Murray, K. Smith; Jacob Arroyave, C. Flax, D. Kerr, Musu, K. Pierre; E. Samb

New York City II have a deep squad with multiple goalkeepers available, including B. Klein and T. Romero, but Klein could anchor the side given his experience. In defence, options such as K. Acito, Nico Cavallo, Maxwell Murray and K. Smith provide a blend of youth and physicality. The midfield pool is extensive, with players like Jacob Arroyave, C. Flax, D. Kerr, Musu and K. Pierre offering flexibility between central and wide roles. Up front, E. Samb is one of several attacking options, alongside C. Danquah, M. Jones and others, giving the hosts enough firepower to test a vulnerable Cincinnati II back line.

FC Cincinnati II Possible Starting Lineup

Fabian Mrozek; D. Hurtado, S. Lachekar, A. Lajhar, M. Miazga; A. Chavez, N. Gassan, G. Granda, M. Sullivan; Stefan Chirila, M. Vazquez

FC Cincinnati II also boast depth across the pitch, with Fabian Mrozek one of several goalkeepers in contention. Defensively, experienced figure M. Miazga could marshal a young back line featuring the likes of D. Hurtado, S. Lachekar and A. Lajhar. The midfield has numerous teenagers and early-20s talents such as A. Chavez, N. Gassan, G. Granda and M. Sullivan, capable of high energy but still learning game management. In attack, options including Stefan Chirila, M. Vazquez, G. Marioni and D. Mosquera provide pace and movement, which will be key if Cincinnati II look to exploit New York City II’s tendency to concede in the later stages.

New York City II Team News

No significant absences reported.

FC Cincinnati II Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

New York City II:

• None reported.

FC Cincinnati II:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II

[Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:]

• Result Tip: Back New York City II on the double chance (home win or draw). The prediction metrics rate the hosts and draw equally at 45% each, with just 10% for an away win, and New York City II have 3 wins from 4 at home while FC Cincinnati II have lost all 5 away games.
• Goals Tip: Under 2.5 total goals appeals. Both teams concede 1.9 goals per match, but the goals projection is set conservatively under 2.5 for each side, and Cincinnati II average only 0.4 goals per away game, suggesting a tighter contest than some previous high-scoring head-to-heads.
• Value Tip: Consider a home win in a one-goal margin market (e.g. New York City II to win by exactly one goal). New York City II’s home strength, Cincinnati II’s travel woes, and the balanced 45%-45% split between home win and draw point toward a narrow edge rather than a blowout.

How to Watch New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II

Broadcast coverage varies by region. General guide:

• Spain: Movistar LaLiga
• UK: Premier Sports
• Australia: beIN Sports
• India: FanCode
• MENA: beIN Sports
• South America: ESPN / Disney+
• Africa: SuperSport

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.