The MLS playoff picture is shaping up and two Eastern Conference contenders face off as the Chicago Fire host New York City on Saturday.
The Fire are fresh from back-to-back wins and could climb to third in the East with another victory in this one, while NYCFC drew with Atlanta United last time out, but they could reach seventh in the East if they win this and results elsewhere go their way.
Chicago Fire FC vs. New York City FC betting picks and predictions
Chicago Fire ML (-125)
Chicago Fire have blown hot and cold this season, with three separate three-game MLS winning streaks sandwiched between bouts of inconsistency.
They had gone six games without a win before beating Charlotte two games ago and they followed that up with an impressive 3-1 victory over Western Conference leaders Vancouver on Tuesday.
Now that their forward line has settled after the departure of Hugo Cuypers and arrival of Robert Lewandowski midway through the season, they seem to have found their groove and look likely winners of this clash with New York City.
Chicago have won eight of their 13 home games this season and they are facing a New York City side who have been middle of the pack on the road this year.
NYCFC seemed on course for a solid season but a poor Leagues Cup campaign seems to have disrupted their year. The road team have just one win from their last 11 games in all competitions and lost to rivals New York Red Bulls recently.
They followed that with a 2-2 draw against 14th-placed Atlanta United and they have not shown enough recently to have any faith that they can turn things around after their short break.
New York are struggling with a number of injuries, with key players such as goalkeeper Matt Freese, midfielder Aiden O’Neill and defender Tayvon Gray expected to miss this game.
Chicago look like a solid bet to pick up their third win in a row against their injury-hit opponents.
Robert Lewandowski first goalscorer (+350)
Losing a player of Cuypers’ calibre halfway through the season would normally be a huge blow to a team’s chances but they have been able to fill his shoes with one of the game’s most prolific forwards.
Lewandowski is an iconic striker who has won almost all there is to win in European club football, scoring a huge number of goals along the way.
His arrival at Chicago has been solid, with six goals in 12 games, and supported by the likes of Phillip Zinckernagel, Robin Lod and Maren Haile-Selassie, he can continue to be a success.
Lewandowski is fresh from three goals in two starts for Poland over the international break and looks set to pick up where he left off in this game.
The veteran threw out the first pitch for the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS and he could be striking first in this game well.
Nicolas Fernandez Mercau to score at any time (+187)
Goals have been a feature of games between these two teams and this matchup looks likely to be no different.
The last four head-to-heads have all produced at least four goals and New York City’s attacking threat should not be overlooked.
Nicolas Fernandez Mercau has 15 MLS goals for the season and is the road team’s penalty taker so looks a tempting price to get on the scoresheet.
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Chicago Fire FC vs. New York City FC odds
Chicago Fire FC | -125 |
Tie | +290 |
New York City FC | +320 |
Chicago Fire FC vs. New York City FC player props
Anytime goalscorer
Robert Lewandowski (Chicago Fire FC) | -120 |
Alonso Martinez (New York City FC) | +130 |
Dean Boltz (Chicago Fire FC) | +162 |
Phillip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire FC) | +162 |
David Poreba (Chicago Fire FC) | +187 |
Nicolas Fernandez Mercau (New York City FC) | +188 |
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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.
