Chicago Fire FC welcome Inter Miami CF to Soldier Field on Wednesday in a meeting between two Eastern Conference contenders trending in very different directions.
The Fire have lost only one of their last 10 games during a run that has seen them move to within five points of the second-placed Herons.
Gregg Berhalter’s side enter this match after a wild 4‑4 draw at Toronto, in which they came back from 2-1 and 3-2 down to lead 4-3 in stoppage time.
They have been one of MLS’s most entertaining teams, scoring freely but also dropping a league‑high 18 points from winning positions.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami’s bid to retain their Eastern Conference crown has faltered badly this summer.
The Herons have won only one of their last six matches in league play, although new head coach Kily Gonzalez is yet to taste defeat since taking charge at the end of August.
With both sides scoring freely and defending inconsistently, this midweek matchup has all the makings of a goal‑heavy thriller.
Chicago Fire FC vs. Inter Miami CF betting picks and predictions
Chicago Fire Tie No Bet (-150)
Miami head to Soldier Field on the back of a chaotic 2‑2 draw against Atlanta United.
On the plus side, Casemiro and Luis Suarez found the net while Lionel Messi became the first player in MLS history to record 30 goal contributions in three separate seasons.
However, Miami’s leaky defense gave way again to make it nine games since their last clean sheet.
Casemiro, who has dropped back into central defense to help out while Micael and Gonzalo Lujan recover from injuries, was involved in a mix-up with goalkeeper Dayne St.Clair that led to Atlanta’s opener.
The Herons look vulnerable on the flanks too, with a couple of key wingers and full-backs also missing, which should give the Fire encouragement to attack them out wide.
Chicago have been one of MLS’s most reliable home sides this season, winning seven of their 10 games at Soldier Field.
The venue has historically been a difficult one for visiting teams - and with Miami conceding multiple goals in eight away matches this season - Wednesday night’s clash should be a tough one for Messi and co.
Chicago have taken points in four of five home meetings against Miami and enter this match on a six‑game unbeaten run.
The Herons have failed to win either of their last two road trips, conceding six goals across those games, so backing the Fire in the Tie No Bet market offers strong value.
Both Teams to Score in the First Half (+162)
This fixture screams goals with a strong likelihood that could come early and often.
Chicago’s last match finished 4‑4, having been 2-1 to Toronto at the interval, and Miami’s last two away games have followed similar patterns.
Both teams scored in the first halves of the Herons’ draw against Philadelphia and defeat to Nashville SC.
Both teams play aggressively, both commit numbers forward and both possess elite attacking talent.
Miami lead MLS with 58 goals, scoring in eight straight away matches. Chicago have scored four or more in two of their last three games and consistently create high‑quality chances.
Defensively, both sides are vulnerable as Miami’s injury list includes Sergio Reguilon, Micael, Santiago Morales, Lujan and Tadeo Allende, while Chicago may again be without Jonathan Bamba, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Andre Franco.
With two explosive attacks and two shaky defenses, the goals should flow freely.
Maren Haile‑Selassie Anytime Goalscorer (+240)
Maren Haile‑Selassie has hit a rich vein of goalscoring form in the past few games to take his tally to seven goals and six assists in MLS this season.
The midfielder scored twice against Toronto last weekend from five total shots and he had seven touches in the opposition’s penalty box.
His pace and movement between the lines should pose major problems for a Miami side which has struggled against dynamic wide players.
Miami have conceded in eight straight away matches and Haile‑Selassie’s ability to exploit space behind full‑backs makes him a prime candidate to find the net.
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Chicago Fire FC vs. Inter Miami CF odds
Chicago Fire FC | +120 |
Tie | +310 |
Inter Miami CF | +180 |
Chicago Fire FC vs. Inter Miami CF player props
Anytime goalscorer
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) | -175 |
Robert Lewandowski (Chicago Fire) | -138 |
German Berterame (Inter Miami) | +120 |
Luis Suarez (Inter Miami) | +120 |
Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire) | +130 |
Chris Mueller (Chicago Fire) | +187 |
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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.
