It is second against third in the MLS' Eastern Conference when Inter Miami host Chicago early on Thursday.
The pair return from the World Cup break looking to pick up where they left off in the MLS, with Miami winning four in a row before the hiatus, while the Fire had three wins on the spin.
Chicago won 5-3 when the pair last met in October 2025, and more goals are forecast for this game at Nu Stadium.
Inter Miami v Chicago Fire Tips Summary
Best Bet - Over 4.5 Goals @ 7/4
Alternative Bet - Robert Lewandowski anytime goalscorer @ 20/21
Bet Builder - Both teams to score, German Berterame anytime goalscorer and Luis Suarez anytime goalscorer @ 6/1
Inter Miami v Chicago Fire Prediction
Best Bet: Over 4.5 Goals @ 7/4
The hosts will be without Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, both of whom started for Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final.
Tadeo Allende's knee issue also makes him a doubt but there is still attacking quality in the side, with Luis Suarez, who has scored six times in the 2026 MLS season, expected to be partnered by German Berterame, who will hope to add to his 10 goal involvements.
They most recently beat Philadelphia Union 6-4, the fourth game in their last five matches to have featured six or more goals.
With 39 goals, they are the highest scorers in the league, but Chicago are no slouches, netting 27 times, and coach Gregg Berhalter has new signing Robert Lewandowski available.
Berhalter could choose to start Lewandowski following MLS top scorer Hugo Cuypers' move to Liga MX side Monterrey on Monday.
Miami may be five points ahead of Chicago, albeit having played a game more, but the pair look tough to split and a high-scoring contest awaits.
Alternative Bet: Robert Lewandowski anytime goalscorer @ 20/21
Cuypers' form threatened to be a headache for Berhalter but his departure means Lewandowski could go straight into the side.
The 37-year-old joined after helping Barcelona win La Liga and should be fresh after Poland missed out on the World Cup.
Lewandowski was long linked with the MLS before joining the Fire and it would be typical of him to make a scoring start.
Inter Miami v Chicago Fire Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score
German Berterame anytime goalscorer
Luis Suarez anytime goalscorer
Pays 6/1
Both teams to score feels a given, having landed in 10 of Miami's last 12 and five of Chicago's last six before the break.
Berterame's 10 goal involvements this season suggest he can make up for any potential shortfall with Messi absent and he and Suarez could both get on the scoresheet.
The Uruguayan is understandably not as sharp as during his spells in England and Spain but scored a hat-trick in May's win over Philadelphia and could strike again.
Key Match Stats
Inter Miami are second in MLS, five points superior to third-placed Chicago Fire
Miami are MLS' top scorers with 39 goals
Four of Miami's last five games have featured six or more goals
Both teams have scored in five of Chicago's last six
Miami's German Berterame has 10 goal involvements this season
Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick in his last outing against Philadelphia
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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.
