Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Luckster
Two camps who are battling it out in the race to book a play-off ticket this season, Chicago will welcome New York to Soldier Field in the early hours of Sunday.
Chicago Fire
Starting with the hosts, while Chicago might have found themselves in the midst of a real flurry on either side of opening June, Gregg Berhalter’s side have drastically failed to find any kind of fluidity over recent times. Despite snatching a 2-0 victory away at Montreal last week, that is the only win that the Fire have registered from their previous five appearances across all competitions. Watching their US Open Cup adventure come to a thumping end on July 9th as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Minnesota, the Illinois-based outfit have come tumbling down the Eastern Conference standings. Likewise, last seen at Soldier Field getting hit with a 2-1 loss at the hands of San Diego, Berhalter’s side have lost three of their previous four showdowns in front of their own supporters.
Chicago Fire Team News
Limping off with a first-half knock away at Montreal, Chicago are expected to be without former Rosenborg defender Samuel Rogers here. However, returning from a muscle issue earlier in the month, USA international Kellyn Acosta could get some more minutes under his belt.
Finding the net away at Montreal last week and notching a 13th MLS strike of the season, one-time Olympiacos striker Hugo Cuypers will shoulder plenty of Chicago’s attacking threat. Former Lille youngster Rominigue Kouame will start in the middle of the park.
New York Red Bulls
As for the visitors, making an immediate return to losing ways last weekend, New York have rightfully come under a huge amount of recent scrutiny. Putting in what was a woeful performance as they slumped to a 5-1 drumming at home against Inter Miami, the pressure on Sandro Schwarz’s shoulders is now at a boiling point. Knowing that they could end this weekend’s fixtures sat outside the play-off places, Sunday’s guests have notched just a single win from any of their previous seven straight MLS appearances. Despite landing a frantic 5-3 victory against New England earlier in the month, it appears that was just a minor boost for the former Hertha Berlin boss. It should also be noted, the Red Bulls have claimed just a sole MLS win on their travels so far this calendar year.
New York Red Bulls Team News
Not featuring over the past month and still sidelined with a thigh issue, New York are once again expected to be without former Inter Miami star Lewis Morgan here. Likewise, ex-Celtic starlet Cameron Harper is still dealing with a long-term knee injury and will not play any part this weekend.
Notching 13 MLS strikes in his 23 appearances this season, former Bayern Munich ace Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will play a leading role in the final third. Completing a permeant switch from Saudi-based outfit Al Qadisiya this summer, Alexander Hack will start at the heart of New York’s defence.
Chicago Fire vs New York Red Bulls Key Factors to Consider
- When Chicago and New York last met on April 6th, the Red Bulls collected a 2-1 victory on home soil.
- Chicago have lost three of their previous four showdowns at Soldier Field.
- Including a 5-1 drumming at home against Inter Miami last week, New York have bagged just a single win from their last seven MLS appearances.
- The Red Bulls have recorded just a single MLS victory on their travels so far this calendar year.
- Three of the last four meetings between Chicago and New York have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Two camps who open this weekend’s fixtures separated by just one-point in the Eastern Conference standings, we look set for a crucial affair from Illinois. Although New York might have snatched a 2-1 victory when they welcomed Chicago to town back on April 6th, the Red Bulls have rightfully gained a reputation for their glaring issues on the road. Remarkably mustering just a single MLS win outside of New Jersey so far this calendar year, both sides are desperately seeking some kind of stability. It should be noted, with New York seeing their last two MLS appearances produce 14 goals at both ends of the pitch, we could be treated to another enjoyable battle here.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Luckster
