The MLS proper is back, with the Eastern Conference restarting with a Hudson River Derby. But what should football spread betting fans be watching? It’s the Sports Spread Bets of the Day!

What channel is NY Red Bulls v New York City FC on?
The Hudson River Derby kicks off at 12am on Friday – so late Thursday night – on FreeSports (Sky 422).

How does the 2020 MLS season work?
Due to the sheer size of America, the MLS has had to get creative with the 2020 season. When the season was suspended back in March, all 26 teams had played 2 games each.

To continue the season the MLS is Back Tournament was announced, to take place behind closed doors in Florida. The 26 teams were split into 6 groups based on their conference, with the 3 group stage games contributing to the regular season’s standings – from the last-16 onwards teams would be playing in a knockout competition for a spot in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.

This was further complicated by FC Dallas and Nashville SC withdrawing due to positive covid-19 tests, meaning those 2 teams will play an additional 3 games between themselves to make up for the missing fixtures. The league’s Canadian teams, meanwhile, will play 6 games between themselves due to an inability to travel to the United States.

Currently the MLS is aiming for a 23-game season, as oppose to the original 34-game plan.

Anyway...

What are the best bets for NY Red Bulls v New York City FC?
With teams only playing conference opponents for the opening 6 games of the ‘first phase’, the state of New York is home to the Eastern Conference restart.

Following MLS is Back, the NY Red Bulls are sat in 6th palce, with 2 wins, 2 losses and a drawn. New York City FC, meanwhile, are languishing in 13th place with just 1 victory – only Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy and David Beckham’s Inter Miami have a worse record in all of the MLS.

Yet the Pigeons are 2019 Eastern Conference winners, MLS runners-up, and play-off Conference semi-finalists, and will want to get their weird season back on track with a big win over their rivals.

Historically the NY Red Bulls have had the edge – in 16 fixtures total, they have won 9 times to City’s 5, with only 2 draws.

Nevertheless, the visitors have a very slender advantage thanks to last season’s form, with Spreadex offering a New York City/NY Red Bulls Goal Supremacy spread of 0-0.2, alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.8-3 and a derby-aware Bookings spread of 44-48.