Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 7/24/21

The Chicago Fire play host to Toronto FC in a matchup between two teams trying to stay out of the basement in the Eastern Conference.

After getting throttled by BC United losing 7-1 Toronto is unbeaten in their last three matches and they have played to a draw in their last two. The club is in second-to-last place in the Eastern Conference only two points back of Chicago. The main issue for FC on the season has been a defense that has given up the most goals by a wide margin.

After winning two in a row scoring three goals in each match Chicago has lost and played to a draw in their last two matches. They have a goal differential of -9 and have only scored 16 goals in 14 matches.

This is the first match between these teams this season.

Defense Has Improved

In their last three matches Toronto has only conceded four goals and they have only given up one goal in each of their last two matches. In their last match, they were at home and played to a 1-1 draw where Ralph Priso-Mbongue scored the lone goal. The time of possession was pretty even and Toronto FC secured a draw even though they were outshot 19-6 and 4-1 in shots on target.

FC has a goal differential of -13, as they have scored 18 goals and conceded 31. Ayo Akinola and Jonathan Osorio leads the club with three goals apiece and Auro and Patrick Mullins lead the club with two assists apiece. Toronto will be shorthanded in this match, as FW Ayo Akinola, DF Kemar Lawrence, MF Richie Laryea, MF Jonathan Osorio, and DF Eriq Zavaleta are all out due to international duty and FW Erickson Yirson Gallardo is questionable with a groin injury. Toronto was winless on the road on the season before winning their last road match.

Can’t Hold On

In their last match, Chicago was at home and played to a 2-2 draw with DC United where they had a 2-0 lead in the second half. Gastón Giménez scored in the first half and the Fire took a 2-0 lead in the 61st minute where Andy Najar was given credit on an own-goal. The time of possession was nearly even in the draw where Chicago was outshot 12-9 and out-shot 6-2 on shots on target.

Luka Stojanovic and Ignacio Aliseda lead the Fire with three goals apiece and Álvaro Medrán is among the league leaders with five assists. DF Francisco Calvo is out for this match due to international duty and FW Stanislav Ivanov is listed as probable. Chicago is unbeaten in their last four home matches with two wins and two draws.

Pick: Chicago Fire -101

Both of these teams played to a draw in their last match, and this is the first encounter between these Eastern Conference teams this season. While Toronto has given up the most goals in the MLS, they have only conceded one goal in each of their last two matches. Chicago has given up seven goals in their last two matches, but they have been solid at home this season and in three of their last four matches in the Windy City they have scored three goals. Toronto is shorthanded with a few players on international duty and the Fire will take advantage of that. They will play well on both sides of the pitch and while Toronto will play good defense again Chicago will win a low-scoring defensive match.

Total: Under 2.5 goals

I am leaning towards the Under in this match, which has been the winning pick in the last two matches for Toronto. The Over has been the pick for the Fire in their last few games but they will not light it up in this one. While Toronto has given up the most goals in the MLS, they have only conceded one goal in each of their last two matches. This Eastern Conference affair will be one where neither team will have many shots on target. Because of that, the total will go Under for this match.