- NYCFC are unbeaten in 3 home matches in all competitions, winning 2 and drawing 1.
- Santos Laguna have lost 4 of their last 5 away matches in all competitions, with 1 win.
- NYCFC have conceded just 2 goals in 3 home games in all competitions, while Santos have scored 6 in 5 away games.
NYCFC have some bite
New York City FC head into Thursday's CONCACAF Leagues Cup 2026-2027 Group B game with Santos Laguna Mexico, and this New York City FC vs Santos Laguna Mexico preview points to the home side as clear favorites at 1.67, with the visitors 4.35 and the draw at 3.8.
The hosts have played better than their recent record of 5 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats in their last 10 in all competitions suggests, but they are on an upward curve, according to New York City FC vs Santos Laguna Mexico prediction.
Pascal Jansen's side grabbed a much-needed away win at Columbus Crew 1-2 in MLS 2026 on Saturday, prior to their 1-1 home draw against Toronto FC yesterday.
They'll take some beating this week if they can keep that momentum going and they should be able to manage the Mexicans better than the odds suggest.
Jansen's team appears built to control games, and that is a key factor in our New York City FC vs Santos Laguna Mexico betting tips.
They can set up in either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 and their style is to squeeze the midfield and press selectively, rather than in a chaotic way.
Their star man is Nicolas Fernandez, who has scored four of NYCFC's seven goals in their last five, but the Argentine striker could do with some help.
Santos are a team in transition
Renato Paiva has tried to change the culture of Santos Laguna to 4-3-3 and attack-first, which has opened the team up to get caught counterattacking, but it should be a good watch on Thursday. They have some serious wing speed, can combine centrally and they press in a high-risk way, which could be dangerous against NYCFC if they get out of shape.
Lucas Di Yorio has been the sharpest player in the box for Santos so far, scoring two of their five goals in the last five games, while Argentine Ezequiel Bullaude has contributed three assists in the same period to give Paiva a spark between the lines. His team have scored six goals in five away games in all competitions this season, so they can nick one here, if the transitions click, although New York City FC vs Santos Laguna Mexico prediction still leans toward the hosts.
They thrashed CF Rayados de Monterrey 3-0 at home recently, but the 3-2 defeat at Monterrey and 0-1 home loss to Atlas that preceded it suggests the wheels could come off. Santos have only won three of their ten games in all competitions in this fledgling campaign and have lost six, so they are still searching for form.
Home advantage could be enough
We're going to take NYCFC to edge this one because home advantage counts and they look better equipped to manage the bigger moments in the game and get the result they need. But the odds are a bit short for a home victory so we're looking at the goal markets for the best value bet.
Over 2.5 at 1.51 and BTTS - Yes at 1.53 look appealing, but we're leaning towards the home side to get the better of it because Santos' away record is so weak and NYCFC have been solid at home, which supports New York City FC vs Santos Laguna Mexico prediction.
