The regular MLS season will soon be ending for the 2017 season and teams are battling at the top of the conference tables to see who can secure a place in the end of season playoffs. This weekend third place Chicago Fire play host to fifth place New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference. They are separated by just 4 points and New York Red Bulls know a win would move them within a point of Chicago Fire, with a game in hand.
You must go back over 10 years to find the last time Chicago Fire won anything in the MLS and they will be hoping it’s their year to bring back some silverware to Toyota Park. New York Red Bulls have tasted success more recently, winning the Eastern Conference regular season 3 times between 2013 and 2016.
Chicago Fire Form
Chicago Fire were one of a handful of teams in action last weekend and they will be pleased they played as they recorded a much needed 1-0 win at Montreal Impact. The victory in Canada ended a run of 4 straight defeats for Chicago Fire and kept them in contention to finish in the top half of the playoff positions. Prior to that 1-0 win in Montreal, Chicago Fire lost at home to Toronto and Minnesota United and away to Montreal Impact and Columbus Crew. Chicago Fire have scored in 12 of their last 13 MLS games but have conceded in 8 of the last 9, keeping their first clean sheet in 9 matches last week.
New Red Bulls Form
New York Red Bulls also played last weekend and recorded a 2-2 draw at FC Dallas. This was their second draw in succession as they also played out a 1-1 draw in the New York derby the week before and that means it is just 2 points from the last 6 available for New York Red Bulls.
Having enjoyed a spell of 4 wins in a row between the 6th and 30th July, New York Red Bulls have won only 1 of their last 5 MLS games. They have picked up the draws as mentioned above and lost away to New York City and Portland Timbers. The victory came at home to Orlando City, which was a 3-1 win. Away from home in the MLS, New York Red Bulls have won 3 of their previous 12 games, keeping only 2 clean sheets.
Team News
Chicago Fire will be without John Goossens, Matej Dekovic, Jorge Bava, Daniel Johnson, Joao Meira and Christian Dean who are all injured. Bastian Schweinsteiger is also a doubt for this game. New York Red Bulls have Sean Davis suspended and Gideon Baah and Mike Grella injured. There are doubts over Daniel Royer and Aurelien Collin.
Top Betting Tips
This is a match which has goals written all over it. Chicago Fire have been finding the back of the net but conceding regularly and the same can be said for New York Red Bulls, who are struggling to keep clean sheets away from home. Over 2.5 goals is 3/5 with Ladbrokes.
New York Red Bulls are undefeated in 4 of their last 6 away games and certainly have what it takes to come away from this match with a point to show for their efforts. The draw is available at 11/4 with William Hill. Considering the goal scoring and defending exploits of both teams, we could see quite a high score draw in this match and William Hill offer 12/1 for the match to end 2-2.