Charlotte
- Charlotte sit 8th in MLS 2026 after 26 matches with 43 points on the board and Chicago Fire are 11th after 25 games with 39 points, so there is certainly play-off vibe to Saturday's encounter at Bank of America Stadium in the USA.
- The Crown have been in very good form of late, winning three and drawing two of their last five matches, including a 2-1 road win over DC United today and a 3-3 draw at FC Cincinnati.
Chicago Fire
- Chicago Fire are in a rut after a 1-2 home defeat to New England Revolution was followed by a 3-0 away loss to Nashville SC.
- Gregg Berhalter's side are set up in a more positional way, looking to control the ball and open up the game with patient probing.
Head-to-Head
- The last 5 MLS 2026 meetings between Charlotte and Chicago Fire have been goal-heavy.
- Charlotte have conceded just 13 goals in 13 MLS 2026 home games (1.00 per game).
- Chicago Fire have allowed 24 goals in their 13 MLS 2026 away games (1.85 per game).
- They have won the last head-to-head 2-1 at home in MLS 2026 and have taken the last three meetings overall.
Key Players
- Maren Haile-Selassie has been their hottest property during that run with 4 goals in 5, 13 goals in 11 MLS 2026 matches.
- Pep Biel is Charlotte's best spark at present with 12 goals in 26 games this season and they have looked much more dangerous with the addition of Idan Toklomati, who has 3 goals in the most recent 5 matches which have seen the hosts score 9.
Betting Insights
Backing over 2.5 goals at 1.44 is a good play here, particularly with both teams to score also rated heavily at 1.38 .
Prediction
This should be a close contest with the visitors possessing enough of an attacking spark to keep the game open.
