Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Turning their attention back to MLS action in the early hours of Sunday, Los Angeles will travel to Soldier Field when they meet Chicago.
Chicago Fire
Starting with the hosts, putting in a gritty performance prior to the fortnight interval as they snatched a 1-0 victory at home against the New York Red Bulls, Chicago will be looking to carry on from where they left off last month. Mustering seven points from their previous three MLS appearances, Gregg Berhalter’s side will be desperate to claim a heavyweight scalp here. However, still only just clinging onto their spot in the play-off chase, the former USA boss will be concerned by a downbeat record against Sunday’s guests. Hit with a 1-0 loss when they welcomed Los Angeles to Soldier Field back on February 5th, it should also be highlighted, Chicago have failed to notch back-to-back wins in Illinois over the past 13 months.
Chicago Fire Team News
Yet to make a single MLS appearance this season and still sidelined with a long-term knee issue, Chicago will once again be without Polish midfielder David Poreba on Sunday. Completing a permanent switch from Philadelphia ahead of the 2025 campaign, Jack Elliott will start at the back.
Bagging the winner against New York last time out and notching three goals in his four appearances prior to the fortnight interval, former Olympiacos striker Hugo Cuypers will lead the line this weekend.
Los Angeles FC
As for the visitors, signing off their August Leagues Cup fixtures with a 2-1 victory away at Mexican outfit Tigres, Los Angeles will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, last seen in MLS action slumping to a 1-0 loss at home against Portland on July 26th, Steve Cherundolo’s men are seeking some recent stability. Collecting consecutive MLS wins on just a single occasion since the start of March, the Falcons have also shown some extended domestic issues away from the BMO Stadium. In fact, the Falcons have registered just a sole win from any of their previous seven MLS showdowns outside of California – a run that stems all the way back to March 23rd.
Los Angeles FC Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Los Angeles will once again be without the likes of Maxime Chanot, Lorenzo Dellavalle and Canadian international Ryan Raposo this weekend. However, serving a one-match domestic suspension prior to the fortnight interval, Eddie Segura will return to Cherundolo’s travelling squad.
Completing a permanent switch from Portuguese outfit Estrela this year, Brazilian youngster Igor Jesus will start at the heart of Los Angeles’ midfield and should be partnered alongside Mark Delgado.
Chicago Fire vs Los Angeles FC Key Factors to Consider
- When Los Angeles last travelled to Solider Field back on February 5th, the Falcons collected a 1-0 victory.
- However, Los Angeles have mustered just a sole win from any of their previous eight domestic appearances outside of California – a run that stems back to March 23rd.
- Chicago have failed to register consecutive MLS victories in Illinois over the past 13 months.
- The Fire have registered just a single clean sheet from their previous eight consecutive showdowns on home soil.
- Six of Los Angeles’ last eight away fixtures across all competitions have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
While Los Angeles might be seeking a first MLS victory since May July 17th, the Falcons should be bracing themselves for a tricky test here. Although Chicago might have failed to register consecutive domestic wins at Soldier Field over the past 13 months, they will meet an LAFC squad who have continued to show some real inconstancies outside of California. It should also be highlighted, with Los Angeles seeing six of their last eight away fixtures finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
