New England Revolution vs NYCFC Odds & Prediction – MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals

• Top-seeded New England Revolution hosts fourth-seeded New York City FC on Tuesday, November 30th
• Twenty-two points separated the two teams in the Eastern Conference standings
• Read on for betting odds, a full preview and the best bet for this MLS playoff match

One of the most dominant regular-season teams in MLS history, the New England Revolution begin their drive for a first MLS Cup by hosting the second Eastern Conference semifinal, against New York City FC on Tuesday, November 30th at 7:30 pm EST.

Coached by five-time MLS Cup winner Bruce Arena, who was named MLS coach of the year on Monday, New England won the Supporters’ Shield with a league-record 73 points, as well as leading the way in goals, assists and goal differential. However, while New York City finished a full 22 points back of the Revs in fourth place, it only narrowly lost the season series 2-1, and finished level with New England on aggregate goals, with both teams scoring five apiece.

New England Revolution vs NYCFC Odds

Odds as of November 29th at DraftKings

Home Cooking for the Win

One area of dominance for New England this year was its form at Gillette Stadium. Arena’s squad won a league-high 12 games on its home field, tying the franchise’s single-season record.

On top of that, New England also sports the longest home playoff unbeaten streak in MLS history, stretching back to 1997 when you exclude the 2002 MLS Cup final, which it lost to the Los Angeles Galaxy, although that was technically a neutral game at the time.

That run now stretches to 18 home playoff games without defeat, and even if you count that title-game loss as a home defeat, New England has now gone 13 straight home playoff games without a loss.

#NERevs In all home playoff games, the Revolution are 13-4-6. As well, have outscored opponents 32 to 18. Home field has always been huge for the Revs.

In all playoff games, NE are 17-4-4 when scoring first and 3-13-3 when being scored on first. C'mon Revs let's score a goal…

— Chris Creighton, #NERevs annoyance extraordinaire (@CreightonC11) November 10, 2021

Record-Breaking Revs

If there’s ever a team that statistically should be a heavy favorite heading into a playoff match, it’s this Revs squad. Most points (73). Most points per game (2.13). Most goals (62). Most assists (48). Most non-penalty goals (60).

The New England Revolution have clinched the Supporters' Shield, emblematic of the best overall record in the league, and the top seed in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. It is the first league trophy won in the club's 26-year history. pic.twitter.com/p4DVESTQGR

— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) October 23, 2021

You get the idea – this squad was supremely dominant.

Only 7 times in 25 seasons has the MLS Coach of the Year gone on to win #MLSCup in the same year (28%).

2021 Coach of the year, Bruce Arena, has done it twice. #NERevs start their journey to MLS cup tomorrow v. #NYCFC pic.twitter.com/QPaxM7GPjP

— MLS Gone Wild ⭐️⭐️ (@MLSGoneWild) November 30, 2021

And now it comes into this game off a first-round bye to line up against an NYCFC team that had the benefit of a comfortable 2-0 win over Atlanta United to warm up its playoff legs. A NYCFC team that earned 22 fewer points in the standings, but scored seven fewer goals and actually had a better defense, conceding just 36 goals compared to New England’s 41 goals against.

Revved-Up Rivalry

Since NYCFC entered MLS in 2015, its Eastern Conference clashes have been slightly slanted in New England’s favor. The Revs lead the rivalry 9-6 in wins, while there have been four draws between the teams.

New England also took two of the three head-to-head matchups this season, too, winning 3-2 and losing 2-0 in games at Yankee Stadium, while claiming a 2-1 victory in the teams’ only game at Gillette Stadium,  on September 11.

Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner, the recently named MLS goalie of the year, has also thrived in this matchup in the past, going 4-3-2 all-time against New York City.

Helluva 2021 for @headdturnerr (SO FAR)

🥇 2021 @MLS All-Star MVP
🥇 2021 @MLS Supporters' Shield
🥇 2021 @MLS Goalkeeper of the Year
🥇 2021 @GoldCup Champion
🥇 2021 #GoldCup Golden Glove pic.twitter.com/1wtlx8OgJk

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) November 22, 2021

Tuesday’s game will be the teams’ first playoff encounter, however.

New England vs New York City 2021 Stats

New York City Nirvana?

While New England has advanced to nine previous conference finals – most recently last year – New York City has never made it past the second round of the playoffs. In four straight seasons from 2016-2019, the Pigeons saw their campaigns come to an early end, and the team will be hoping that the fifth time is the charm.

On the plus side, it does have reigning Golden Boot winner Valentin Castellanos to lean on, as the Argentinian led the way with 19 goals in the 2021 regular season, before finding his groove in the playoffs with the winning goal against Atlanta in the last round.

New York could also welcome back Gedion Zelalem, who was suspended for that game, for Tuesday’s match too.

Buksa Boost for New England

After initial doubts about the availability of Polish striker Adam Buksa, it appears he will be available for Tuesday’s game. His ability to play will be important after he led the Revs with 16 regular-season goals, and is the perfect foil for Gustavo Bou, who scored 15 times to go along with eight assists himself.

Carles Gil, the 2021 Comeback Player of the Year. 💪

After missing almost all of the 2020 season with a bone spur injury, the @NERevolution midfielder hasn't skipped a beat in 2021: League-leader in assists, Supporters' Shield title, and aiming for MLS Cup.

Congrats, Carles! pic.twitter.com/EsRHLmXpLw

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 24, 2021

And behind them the team will benefit from the presence of Carles Gil, the MLS Comeback Player of the Year, who led MLS in assists with 18.

Best bet: Revolution (+110)