Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Union Prediction: Quality rest means fresh legs

Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union face each other for the second time in this campaign. The first encounter ended in a 1-0 win for Philadelphia Union, with lots of drama as the Chicago FC team were forced to play with 9 men after 2 red cards. Currently Chicago Fire are ranked 6th in the eastern conference and 14th on the MLS table, while Philadelphia Union find themselves in 10th in the eastern conference and 18th on the MLS table. Chicago Fire have earned 9 points in 7 matches and Philadelphia has 7 points in 7 matches.

Chicago Fire have struggled to maintain a winning form lately. Their last 5 matches ended with 2 draws, 2 wins and 1 loss. Their most recent game was against Minnesota United here in Soldier Field and they won the game 2-1. Chicago Fire were 2 goals ahead in the first half as Kei Kamara scored both goals in the 24th and 36th minute of the game. Kervin Arriaga then pulled one back for Minnesota United in the 57th minute, but Chicago held on to the lead until the end of the game. Chicago Fire had 59% possession, 2 shots on target, 4 corner kicks and 1 yellow card in that match.

Chicago Fire have 9 points after 6 matches played. They won 2, drew 3 and lost 1 and their goal ratio is 9:8. And on the home table, Chicago Fire are ranked in 9th place, with 6 points. They won 1 and drew 3 in all 4 home matches they have played in, and their goal ratio is 6:5.

Team streak: no losses (4), less than 4.5 cards (8/10).

Philadelphia Union progressed in the CONCACAF Champions League Quarter Finals after playing 1-0 and 2-2 in both legs of the competition against Atlas. Now they return to the MLS where their record is deteriorating at the moment. Philadelphia Union have played 7 matches in the MLS and they won 2, drew 1 and lost 4. Their last MLS match was against FC Cincinnati at the TQL Stadium. Philadelphia Union lost 1-0 and the goal was scored by Luciano Acosta from the penalty spot in the 69th minute. Philadelphia Union managed only 36% possession, while having 4 shots on target, 4 corner kicks , committing 14 fouls and picking up 2 yellow cards. In their last game against Atla, they had slightly better statistics; 41% possession, 5 shots on target, 4 corner kicks, 17 fouls and 1 yellow card.

After playing 7 matches this season, Philadelphia Union have 7 points. They won 2, drew 2 and lost 4 and their goal ratio is 8:9. And away from home, they have picked up 0 points as they lost all 3 away matches, with a goal ratio of 2:6.

Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire know each other pretty well as they have played each other 20 times in total. Philadelphia have 11 wins, while Chicago Fire have 6 wins and 3 matches ended in a draw.

• There were more than 4.5 cards in 7/7 meetings.
• There were more than 10.5 corners in 4/5 meetings.

• Chicago Fire (4-2-3-1): Chris Brady, Arnaud Souquet, Carlos Teran, Rafael Czichos, Miguel Navarro, Fabian Herbers, Gaston Gimenez, Maren Haile-Selassie, Brian Gutierrez, Chris Mueller, Kei Kamara.
• Philadelphia Union (4-3-3): Andre Blake, Kai Wagner, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Olivier Mbaizo, Jack McGlynn, Jose Martinez, Alejandro Bedoya, Daniel Gazdag, Julian Carranza, Mikael Uhre.

This is a typical game between a good home team against a struggling away team and there’s no surprise on how the outcome should be. Philadelphia have not been the team they used to be and their struggles are still fully present. Chicago are yet to lose a game on their home ground and I don't see them starting now. Also, expect the away team to struggle due to fatigue after playing a tough game against Atlas a few days ago.

• Bet on Home Win or Draw and Over 1.5 Goals at 1.75 Odds
• Bet on Chicago Over 1 Goal at 1.63 Odds
• Bet on Home Win FT at 1.83 Odds