Chicago Fire

vs

New York City FC

Preview

Chicago Fire

• Chicago Fire have won 7, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their 12 home games in MLS 2026, scoring 22 goals.
• Chicago Fire sit 10th in the MLS 2026 standings with 42 points from 26 games while New York City FC are 18th with 33 from 27, so it is true that the hosts have the edge on the table and should have the advantage at Soldier Field on Saturday.
• But Gregg Berhalter's side come into this clash with some iffy form to consider as they have won just one of their last five matches in a run which saw them lose 1-2 at home to New England Revolution, then lose 3-0 to Nashville SC away before a 0-1 away win at Charlotte FC.

New York City FC

• New York City FC have won 4, drawn 5 and lost 4 of their 13 away games in MLS 2026, averaging 1.15 goals both scored and conceded.
• But Pascal Jansen's side have also been in mixed form, going 1-2-2 across their last five and coming into this one off a 0-1 home defeat to Red Bull New York and a 2-2 away draw at Atlanta United.
• New York City FC claimed a 3-1 victory in the last meeting between these two sides at home in MLS 2026 and Chicago Fire have failed to beat the Pigeons in their last two home meetings.

Head-to-Head

• New York City FC claimed a 3-1 victory in the last meeting between these two sides at home in MLS 2026 and Chicago Fire have failed to beat the Pigeons in their last two home meetings.
• The Pigeons have the better of the recent meetings with Chicago having lost three and drawn two of the last five.

Key Players

• Hugo Cuypers is the main man for Chicago with 13 MLS 2026 goals in 11 appearances, but Maren Haile-Selassie has scored three of the team's six goals across their last five games and looks a spark in the box.
• NYCFC also have a proven MLS 2026 finisher in Nicolas Fernandez, who has 15 goals in 26 games for the team, while Luighi has two of their four goals in the same period.
• Agustin Ojeda has three assists in that same five-game spell, so we think he and Luighi could be a dangerous duo in this match-up.

Betting Insights

• Chicago Fire are the home favorites at 1.73, with New York City FC 4.2 and the draw 3.95.
• There are other reasons not to back the Men in Red as the home side for this fixture on Saturday, but the odds on the visitors are still very attractive at 4.2, even with the draw coming in at a massive 3.95.
• We're backing the overs & BTTS markets with Over 2.5 goals at 1.5 and both teams to score at 1.48 as the top two selections here, although BTTS Yes at 1.48 is the better play in the alternatives market.

Prediction

• Chicago should have the slight edge at home, but the Pigeons' unbeaten run of one win and one draw in their last two road games gives them a live shot in the dark for Saturday's clash.
• Chicago's home form has also been patchy, winning none, drawing one and losing one of their last two games, although they have scored 22 goals in 12 home games in MLS 2026, which should be enough to keep them in the game.
• We're expecting an open match with goals and chances for both sides, making Over 2.5 and BTTS Yes solid plays while the visitors remain a tempting outsider at 4.2.