The Philadelphia Union (5 wins, 2 losses, 3 draws) travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Fire FC (1-7-1) Saturday at Soldier Field. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Philadelphia Union at Chicago Fire FC odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
Coming off a home loss to FC Cincinnati Wednesday, the Fire may have hit their season-low. With just 1 win in 9 matches, the lone positive is that both their win and draw were at home.
The Union are coming into this match looking to keep pace with Orlando City SC, who downed Inter Miami CF 2-1 Friday night. Philadelphia hasn’t lost in 7 matches and kicked off that streak off with a 2-0 win over Chicago May 8. The Union are 1-0-1 since the international break.
Philadelphia Union at Chicago Fire FC: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Philadelphia Union +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Chicago Fire +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Draw +260
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -155 | U: +115)
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Prediction
Philadelphia Union 1, Chicago Fire 0
Money line (ML)
BET on the PHILADELPHIA UNION (+140) because they’re rolling and Chicago seemingly doesn’t have any idea how to defend or attack.
Getting the Union on a plus-money bet seems almost unfair. Chicago has just 4 goals on the season and has given up 14.
The Union have just 7 goals against and are tied with Orlando and Columbus for the fewest goals allowed in the Eastern Conference. Expecting the worst offense not to score on the best defense is a bet I’m willing to take.
Combine that with Philadelphia averaging over a goal per game and Chicago giving up over a goal per game, and I’d ride with the Union to defeat the Fire.
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Over/Under (O/U)
BET on the UNDER 2.5 (+115) because neither team has a great attack and the Union’s backline is dominant. While Philadelphia is led by F Cory Burke, he has just 3 goals on the season.
He’s a solid option, but he’s yet to be a dominant performer. This team is among the best because it gives up little with Ds Jakob Glesnes and Jack Elliott holding down the backline.
The Union rank in the top five of MLS in save percentage and interceptions while ranking in the bottom 10 in shots on target. They get the job done but not in high-scoring affairs.
The Fire have little going for them and will likely play at Philadelphia’s pace. For those reasons, I’d go with the Under, especially with the value given.
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