Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia Union, Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 6/26/21
The Chicago Fire will play host to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday in an MLS fixture. Chicago Fire is last in the Eastern Conference standings with an overall record of 1-1-7 and four points with a -10 goal difference. Chicago was defeated 1-0 by Cincinnati in its most recent fixture on Wednesday. The Chicago goalkeeper gave up a goal on a free-kick early in the second half and the Fire could not respond on the road. Chicago has been held scoreless in each of its last three outings.
Philadelphia is off to a much stronger start than Chicago and is third in the Eastern Conference standings at 5-3-2 with 18 points and a +5 goal difference. Philadelphia defeated the Columbus Crew 1-0 on Wednesday. Jamiro Montiero scored the only goal of the match for Philadelphia and Andre Blake was called on to make only two saves to post his sixth clean sheet of the season. Philadelphia is tied on points with second-placed Orlando City but trails in goal difference +5 to +10.
Chicago can't find the back of the Net
The Chicago Fire attack has been extinguished more often than not through the first nine matches of the MLS regular season. Chicago has been held scoreless in each of the last three outings. Chicago opened the season with two goals against New England in a 2-2 draw and has not scored more than one goal in any of the other eight matches. Chicago has scored a grand total of 4 goals this season for an average of 0.44 goals per match and has been held scoreless six times. At the same time, Chicago has allowed a total of 14 goals for an average of 1.55 goals per game.
Chicago has one win in its last five matches with 4 losses and over that stretch has been outscored 5-1, while being held scoreless in four of the five matches. Luca Stojanovic is the leading goal scorer for Chicago Fire with 3 and the only other goal scorer is Robert Beric with one. Boris Sekulic has two assists to lead Chicago and Francisco Calvo and Beric have one assist each.
Philadelphia’s Defense Playing Well
The Philadelphia Union is unbeaten in each of its last 7 MLS fixtures. Much of that success is thanks to strong play from the backline and goalkeeper for Philadelphia. Philadelphia has had four clean sheets in its last five matches played while allowing only two goals to Atlanta in a 2-2 over that span. Philadelphia's attack has also been strong, as Philadelphia has scored 11 goals over its last seven matches in MLS action.
Philadelphia has won four of its last five with one draw and has outscored its opposition over that period by a combined 8-2 while posting four clean sheets. Kacper Przybylko and Cory Burke are the leading goal scorers for Philadelphia Union with three goals each. Jakob Glesnes and Jamiro Monteiro have two goals apiece. Monteiro is the leader for Philadelphia in assists with four while Kai Wagner and Przybylko have two assists each.
Pick: Philadelphia Union +148
Chicago Fire has scored only four goals through nine matches and will be up against a Philadelphia Union backline and goalkeeper have posted clean sheets in three of the last four matches and is unbeaten in each of its last seven matches in MLS play. Chicago Fire has a strong defense but will have a hard time keeping the Philadelphia attack from scoring. Philadelphia has scored two goals or more in two of its last three outings, while Chicago has been held scoreless in each of his last three matches and four of the last five. Philadelphia defeated Chicago 0-2 at Chicago earlier this season.
Total: under 3
Chicago Fire is scoring an average of only 0.44 goals per game and at the same time is allowing an average of only 1.55 goals per game. The total has finished under 2.5 goals in 7 of Chicago Fire’s 9 matches this season. The total has also finished under in 7 Philadelphia's 10 MLS fixtures thus far this season. In the first meeting between the two, a total of two goals were scored.
