One of the longest-running rivalries in the MLS, the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew have met more than 70 times in league play since 1998. The Fire have just one win against the Crew since 2018 and have been outscored 19-9 in the last 11 meetings.
A Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew prediction for this weekend’s game needs to take into account all the recent games for both teams, plus their trends and stats.
Chicago Fire FC vs. Columbus Crew Information
Chicago Fire FC vs Columbus Crew
Location of the game: Soldier Field. Chicago, IL.
Date & Time: Saturday, June 10. 7:30 p.m. ET
How to watch: Apple TV
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Recent Scores
The Chicago Fire played in the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night with a 4-1 home loss against the Houston Dynamo. In the MLS schedule, they haven’t won in their last five games, with two losses and three draws. They lost at FC Cincinnati 1-0 on Saturday after 0-0, 3-3, and 3-3 draws to finish May.
The Crew are rising up the MLS standings after a 4-2 win over Charlotte and a 3-2 win over Colorado Rapids, both at home last week. The last time they went on the road, they lost 3-1 at Nashville and 3-2 across the state in Cincinnati.
Chicago Fire FC vs. Columbus Crew Analysis
The Fire’s Struggle to Find the Net in Recent Matches
The Chicago Fire are back home at Soldier Field after three straight MLS games on the road and a cup game in the suburbs. The Fire scoring output has been bizarre this season, with back-to-back three-goal games in both March and May but a combined nine goals in their other 12 games. They enter this contest without a goal in a league game for the last 192 minutes
Maren Haile-Selassie, Kei Kamara, and Kacper Przybylko have combined for nearly half of Chicago’s goals this season. They are among the lowest-scoring of the MLS teams on the season, but they do have a +2 goal differential at home.
Goalkeeper Chris Brady is questionable after missing both the Cincinnati game and the Houston Cup game. He took stitches during the Toronto game, and Spencer Richey has played ever since. Whoever is in goal for the Fire will have to be prepared for the Crew’s devastating free kicks and set pieces.
The Crew’s Impressive Tally of 33 Goals This Season
The Crew lead the league in touches and passes in the attacking third of the field. They are coming around offensively as a result and have seven goals in the last two games as they get used to a new coaching system. With 33 goals on the campaign, the Crew have scored in seven straight games, with at least two goals in five of those contests.
Lucas Zelarayan is the playmaker for the Crew with seven goals and six assists. Meanwhile, Cucho is back to his goal-providing form with three goals and seven assists, and Christian Ramirez has stepped up with five goals.
Defense, however, has been an issue and is holding this team back from being a true contender. They have allowed 10 goals in the last four games with a 3-2 and 3-1 loss in that span. Patrick Schulte, in goal for an injured Eloy Room, has allowed 21 goals in 13 league starts.
Odds Breakdown
Chicago Fire
Before making a Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew prediction, let’s look at the odds. Chicago is favored at home, but not by much. They are +145 on the money line, and they are -120 draw no bet.
Columbus Crew
Meanwhile, Columbus Crew is at +165 moneyline on the MLS odds. They are -105 draw no bet. The total goals is 2.5, with the over at -140 and the under at +110.
Chicago Fire FC vs. Columbus Crew Betting Pick and Prediction
Pick 1: On MLS picks for this weekend, go with this game to be over 2.5 goals. The Fire have played a pair of 3-3 games recently, and the last two Crew games have totaled 12 goals.
Pick 2: Another Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew prediction is for the Crew to win on the road at +165. They are playing much better than the Fire of late, and they are also completely rested while Chicago played on Tuesday.
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