MLS: Big Apple battle as David Villa’s New York City face rivals Red Bulls

It is the famed Yankee Stadium’s first chance to host a local MLS derby, as New York City welcome New York Red Bulls back to their turf in a star-studded Bronx battle featuring a raft of familiar faces from European football.

New York’s footballing revolution continues after fans voted to light the iconic Liberty Stadium up in City blue ahead of derby day, leaving the Red Bulls trailing, but can they catch-up on the pitch?

The Bulls (6/4 favourites for victory with Coral) will head across the Hudson from New Jersey knowing that a win for their opponents, who have impressively recovered from early poor season form to claw themselves within just three points of their rivals in the Eastern Conference, could draw them level, with a play-off place at stake.

Red Bulls currently sit sixth, and took the spoils in the previous, and first-ever, derby against their noisy new neighbours. In that 2-1 triumph (a result they are 9/1 to repeat) it was Manchester City academy graduate, and former Southampton striker, Bradley Wright-Phillips whose brilliant brace secured the historic victory, and coach Jesse Marsch will be relying on the marksman once again.

The 2014 MLS Golden Boot winner has suffered a dry spell of late, however, last scoring in the derby, and the misfiring forward’s goal misery was compounded by two recent penalty misses.

“We have to be a lot more clinical in both boxes. In the last game we got back to winning ways and we’ve just got to carry on..as a striker, you score and you miss, but it’s how you come back,” said the London-born hitman.