The Chicago Fire (0 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw) welcome FC Cincinnati (2-0-1) to Soldier Field Saturday. Kickoff in this Eastern Conference battle is set for 8:30 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Below, we preview Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Chicago Fire vs. FC Cincinnati odds, and make our best expert MLS picks and predictions.
FC Cincinnati enters off a 1-0 home victory over the previously undefeated Seattle Sounders last Saturday, holding them off despite a late-game red card. FCC is 0-0-1 on the road this season, drawing Orlando 0-0 in their lone away match on March 4. All 3 of Cincinnati’s goals this season have come from a different player with M Obinna Nwobodo, F Sergio Santos and F Brenner all finding the back of the net.
The Fire are the only team in the Eastern Conference that has played just 2 games and are 1 of 4 teams in the conference that has yet to record its second goal. Chicago drew NYCFC 1-1 at home on March 4 then lost to Philadelphia 1-0 on the road on March 11. M Fabian Herbers has the team’s lone goal.
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Chicago Fire vs. FC Cincinnati odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:05 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Chicago Fire +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | FC Cincinnati +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Draw +250
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Chicago Fire vs. FC Cincinnati picks and predictions
Prediction
FC Cincinnati 1, Chicago Fire 1
Moneyline (ML)
SPRINKLE DRAW (+250).
The Fire most likely won’t be a playoff team this season, but they will be able to compete.
The Fire and NYCFC finished within one expected goal in Chicago’s first game, and then the Fire had just .3 fewer expected goals than Philadelphia on the road. Keeping that game close is impressive as Philadelphia is one of the best teams in MLS.
FCC drew its lone road match of the season and has only won both its other games by 1 goal. Two of FCC’s 3 games have ended within .3 expected goals.
Both teams play to the level of their opponent, so back the DRAW (+250) with a partial unit.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (-110).
FC Cincinnati hasn’t had the same dynamic offense we saw last season. They are averaging just a goal per game and have had 1.8 combined expected goals in their last 2 games. The Fire have a similar story, having yet to either score or allow 2 goals in a game this season.
Both teams would be in the top ten in the MLS in interceptions (Fire only have 2 games when most have 3). However, FCC has only allowed 9 shots while the Fire have allowed 6. Both teams have sturdy defenses and struggling offenses.
Back the UNDER 2.5 (-110).
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