Major League Soccer prediction and preview: Chicago Fire modest favorites to beat Philadelphia Union

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Competition: USA Major League Soccer
Date: Sun 18.August
Match begins: 00:00 (UTC)
Venue: Toyota Park (21891 seats)

The visiting Philadelphia Union side should be favourites in this visit to Chicago Fire, as the away team holds a 15 point advantage from their 26 league games this season.

These are busy days for the home team, as they were in action only three days ago in the Major League Soccer.

Philadelphia Union have a very long trip to this away game, as there's more than 1200 kilometers in distance to cover. This could prove a challenge, at least for the supporters.

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Chicago Fire form and stats

The story so far for Chicago Fire at their home stadium (Toyota Park) is 6 wins, 6 draws and 2 defeats.

In their previous game, the manager V. Paunovic led his Chicago Fire to a defeat in the Major League Soccer match away at Portland Timbers. The manager is hoping to put things right immediately here at Toyota Park. Ahead of that match, Chicago Fire won a home game hosting Montreal Impact (3-2).

The hosts are modest favourites in this match, with the bookmakers estimating the chance of a home win at about 50% +- five percent. It's interesting to look at how Chicago Fire have performed under similar circumstances, so here are some numbers: When modest favourites like this (we found seven games) they have won 2 times, drawn 3 and lost 2.

With an average of more than two goals per home game (29 in 14 games), Chicago Fire's attacking play is working. 16 goals have been conceded.

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Philadelphia Union form and stats

Playing away, Philadelphia Union, who have the most points (18) away in Major League Soccer, have won 5 games, drawn 3 and suffered 5 defeats so far this season.

The supporters enjoyed Philadelphia Union's previous game versus Houston Dynamo, a Major League Soccer 2-1 win played at home. Preceding that game was the away victory against DC United with the score of 5-1.

Philadelphia Union are the outsiders in this one, but not by much. Their performance in similar games (being the away team and moderate outsiders) is 3 wins, 0 draws and 6 defeats. From a total of nine matches.

Philadelphia Union are not goal shy away from home, finding the net 20 times in 13 away games so far. Philadelphia Union have conceded 24 goals in these games.

Head 2 Head

The dueling parties have met before this season: Philadelphia Union - Chicago Fire 2-0. Head-to-head totals (for the last ten meetings): Chicago Fire won 3 games, 1 match ended with a draw and Philadelphia Union has 6 wins. Over 2,5 goals / under 2,5 goals: 7 / 3

Top Goalscorers

K. Przybyłko
11 goals / 1 assists
C. Sapong
10 goals / 1 assists
N. Nikolić
9 goals

Chicago Fire missing players

Philadelphia Union missing players

Chicago Fire Philadelphia Union
Total Home Home vs top Statistic Away vs low Away Total
27 14 3 Played 2 13 26
7 6 1 Won 1 5 13
9 6 2 Drew 0 3 6
11 2 0 Lost 1 5 7
40 29 6 Scored 2 20 48
40 16 2 Conceded 4 24 38
93% 93% 67% Over 0.5 100% 100% 96%
74% 86% 67% Over 1.5 100% 100% 96%
48% 50% 33% Over 2.5 50% 54% 62%
41% 43% 33% Over 3.5 50% 46% 42%
30% 36% 33% Over 4.5 0% 23% 19%
59% 71% 67% BTTS 0% 62% 62%
22% 29% 33% Clean Sheets 50% 8% 23%
26% 7% 33% Failed To Score 50% 31% 19%
 
4.6 5.4 6 Corners For (avg) 9 5.5 5.3
4.4 3.1 3.3 Corners Against (avg) 4 5.6 4.7
1.9 1.6 2.3 Yellow Cards (avg) 0.5 2.4 1.8
2 1 0 Red Cards 0 2 3
Key stats this season:
  • All of Philadelphia Union's away matches have had more than 1,5 goals.
  • Chicago Fire have played more matches over 2,5 goals home than away.
  • Philadelphia Union haven’t played a single 0-0 game away.

Chicago Fire
All US Open Cup Major League Soccer Carolina Challenge Cup Club Friendlies
All Home Away
20-07-19 MLS Philadelphia Union 2 - 0 Chicago Fire
28-07-19 MLS Chicago Fire 0 - 0 DC United
04-08-19 MLS Houston Dynamo 0 - 1 Chicago Fire
11-08-19 MLS Chicago Fire 3 - 2 Montreal Impact
15-08-19 MLS Portland Timbers 3 - 2 Chicago Fire
18-08-19 MLS Chicago Fire 00:00 Philadelphia Union
24-08-19 MLS New England 23:30 Chicago Fire
31-08-19 MLS Columbus Crew 23:30 Chicago Fire
14-09-19 MLS Chicago Fire 19:30 Dallas
21-09-19 MLS Cincinnati 23:30 Chicago Fire
Philadelphia Union
All US Open Cup Major League Soccer Club Friendlies
All Home Away
14-07-19 MLS Real Salt Lake 4 - 0 Philadelphia Union
20-07-19 MLS Philadelphia Union 2 - 0 Chicago Fire
28-07-19 MLS Montreal Impact 4 - 0 Philadelphia Union
04-08-19 MLS DC United 1 - 5 Philadelphia Union
11-08-19 MLS Philadelphia Union 2 - 1 Houston Dynamo
18-08-19 MLS Chicago Fire 00:00 Philadelphia Union
24-08-19 MLS Philadelphia Union 23:30 DC United
31-08-19 MLS Philadelphia Union 23:30 Atlanta United
14-09-19 MLS Philadelphia Union 23:30 Los Angeles FC
22-09-19 MLS New York RB 22:00 Philadelphia Union

  Total Home Away  
# Team MP W D L F A MP W D L F A MP W D L F A D P
1 Philadelphia Union 26 13 6 7 48 38 13 8 3 2 28 14 13 5 3 5 20 24 10 45
2 Atlanta United 25 13 3 9 43 30 14 10 3 1 29 9 11 3 0 8 14 21 13 42
3 DC United 26 10 9 7 34 32 14 6 5 3 22 20 12 4 4 4 12 12 2 39
4 New York City 23 10 8 5 41 31 11 6 4 1 22 11 12 4 4 4 19 20 10 38
5 New York RB 25 11 4 10 43 38 13 8 1 4 26 15 12 3 3 6 17 23 5 37
6 New England 25 9 7 9 37 44 13 6 2 5 18 17 12 3 5 4 19 27 -7 34
7 Orlando City 26 9 6 11 34 34 13 6 1 6 19 18 13 3 5 5 15 16 0 33
8 Toronto 25 9 6 10 39 41 14 6 4 4 28 23 11 3 2 6 11 18 -2 33
9 Montreal Impact 26 10 3 13 36 47 11 6 1 4 14 13 15 4 2 9 22 34 -11 33
10 Chicago Fire 27 7 9 11 40 40 14 6 6 2 29 16 13 1 3 9 11 24 0 30
11 Columbus Crew 26 7 5 14 27 39 14 5 3 6 16 19 12 2 2 8 11 20 -12 26
12 Cincinnati 25 5 3 17 25 57 11 3 1 7 11 21 14 2 2 10 14 36 -32 18

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