Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Union Tips, Predictions and Bet Builder

Chicago Fire will look to get back to winning ways when they host Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union at Soldier Field in the MLS on Wednesday night.

Gregg Berhalter’s men have had almost a fortnight to get over the disappointment of a 2-0 home defeat to Nashville, which extended the club’s run of poor results at Soldier Field.

The Fire remain just outside the top nine in the East, but have a game in hand over the three clubs directly  above them. 

Meanwhile, the Union will arrive in Chicago looking to extend a 12-match unbeaten run.

Bradley Carnell’s side have taken 24 points from the last 30 on offer thanks to a brand of high-energy pressing and effective transition football.

The visitors are without several players through injury and international call-ups, and with the Fire expected to get star forward Philip Zinckernagel back for this clash, it could be a major test of the Union’s mettle.

Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Union Tips Summary

Market	Tip	Odds
Match Result	Chicago Fire	10/11
Best Bet	Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals	8/11
Bet Builder	Chicago Fire to win, Over 3 Goals & Philip Zinckernagel to Score or Assist	4/1

Key Match Stats

• Chicago Fire have won only one of seven home MLS matches this year

• Philadelphia Union are unbeaten in their last four road games in MLS, winning three

• The Fire have scored more goals (35) in MLS than the Union (34), despite playing one game fewer

• Against Nashville, Chicago Fire were held to no goals for the first time in eight matches

• Philip Zinckernagel has five goals and four assists over the past 10 games

Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Union Prediction

Best Bet: Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals @ 8/11

Chicago’s matches average 3.88 total goals, with 76% of them having seen at least three strikes hit the back of the net, while both teams have registered in 82%.

Two-thirds of Philadelphia’s MLS matches have hit the over 2.5-goal mark with over half seeing both teams score.

The Fire are fun to watch and any repeat of the explosive attacking display they put on in the 7-1 demolition of DC United will ensure this entertains.

Chicago’s high line and Philadelphia’s occasional set-piece lapses should see both nets breached.

Simon Barlow says:

Zinckernagel’s return increases the chances of Chicago scoring multiple goals again but the form of their back-up keeper Jeff Gal is a concern. He let a soft one in against DC United and looked shaky against Nashville, so the Union should still score even without their own main striker.

Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Union Bet Builder Tip

• Chicago Fire to win

• Over 3 goals

• Philip Zinckernagel to score or assist

  
  Pays 4/1

Union’s 12-game undefeated record is impressive, but they have needed stoppage-time goals to turn draws, against teams they should have beaten like Charlotte FC and Toronto, into wins.

Philadelphia’s record at Soldier Field is not that hot either with two draws and two defeats, including a 4-3 loss on their last visit to the lakeside a year ago.

The Fire have won two of their last three home games and had the better of the expected goals (xG) in that 2-0 loss against Nashville last time out when they missed some big chances.

They were playing without their best player this season, Zinckernagel, who was getting married.

The return of the Danish star to their ranks for this clash ought to sharpen Chicago’s cutting edge in a game that looks likely to feature several goals.  

Three of the last four head-to-head meetings of these clubs have seen at least four goals scored.

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Simon Barlow adds:

Take a chance on backing Chicago Fire to win in a high-scoring, entertaining clash, with star winger Zinckernagel contributing to one of their goals by way of an assist or scoring himself.

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Tactics, Form and Team news

Fire defenders Carlos Teran (lower body), Sam Rogers (lower body) and Christopher Cupps (lower body) are out again - as are midfielders Chris Mueller (personal) and David Poreba (lower body).

Jeff Gal stands in for Chris Brady (Gold Cup duty) in goal again but Philip Zinckernagel looks set to be reunited with Jonathan Bamba and Hugo Cuypers in attack.

Expected Chicago Fire XI (4-3-3): Gal; Dean, Gonzalez, Elliott, Gutman; Gutierrez, Pineda, Oregel; Zinckernagel, Cuypers, Bamba.

Danley Jean Jacques is back with the Union squad after Haiti’s Gold Cup campaign came to an end.

However, Quinn Sullivan, Nathan Harriel (both United States) and Andre Blake (Jamaica) are still at the tournament.

Top scorer Tai Baribo is dealing with a calf injury while defender Ian Glavinovich is still  troubled by a niggling knee problem.

Both midfielder Jesus Bueno, who pulled a hamstring in the win over Charlotte FC less than two weeks ago, and defender Frankie Westfield (sprained ankle) are doubts.

Expected Philadelphia Union XI (4-4-2): Rick; Mbaizo, Glesnes, Makhanya, Wagner; Bedoya, Anderson, Lukic, Bender; Damiani, Vassilev.

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.