Verdict: Chicago Fire win
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Two camps who will get their respective play-off adventures underway in the early hours of Thursday, Orlando will travel to Soldier Field when they meet Chicago.
Chicago Fire
Starting with the hosts, while Chicago might have signed off their regular-season adventure with consecutive 2-2 stalemates against New England and Toronto, Gregg Berhalter’s men have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across America’s elite this year. Getting October underway with a stellar 5-3 victory away at Inter Miami, the Fire have suffered just a pair of defeats from any of their previous 13 consecutive MLS appearances – a run that stems all the way back to July 17th. However, despite gaining a reputation for their lively outcomes, the Illinois-based outfit are desperately searching for some crucial defensive steel. Including a shock 3-1 defeat at home against New York City on September 14th, Thursday’s hosts have recorded just a single clean sheet in front of their own supporters over the past three months.
Chicago Fire Team News
Still waiting to make his Chicago debut after completing a summer switch from Serbian outfit TSC over the summer, 21-year-old Viktor Radojevic is still sidelined with a muscle issue. However, ahead of Thursday’s showdown, form Swiss U21 international Maren Haile-Selassie could be handed a full recall.
Enjoying what has been a sensational maiden MLS campaign this season and registering 29 direct goal contributions in his 32 appearances, one-time Watford star Philip Zinckernagel will play a leading role in the final third.
Orlando City
As for the visitors, while Orlando might have dragged themselves to a play-off ticket this season, the Lions have continued to show some real issues. Last seen falling to a lively 4-2 defeat away at Toronto, Oscar Pareja’s men have come crashing back down to earth since their August flurry. Including a 2-1 loss at home against Vancouver earlier in the month, the Florida-based outfit have mustered just a single win from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Showing their own respective defensive issues, Orlando have remarkably failed to put a single MLS clean sheet on the board since the middle of June. It should also be highlighted, Pareja’s side slumped to a 3-1 loss when they welcomed Chicago to Florida back on June 1st.
Orlando City Team News
Still sidelined with a long-term knee injury, Orlando will be unable to call upon Japanese international Yutaro Tsukada here. Likewise, picking up his own respective knee issue, Swedish defender Robin Jansson remains a major doubt in midweek.
Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike against Toronto last time out, Duncan McGuire should keep his spot leading the line. Former Palmeiras star Eduard Atuesta will start at the heart of Orlando’s defence in Chicago.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Chicago and Orlando last met back on June 1st, the Fire collected a 3-1 victory in Florida.
- Chicago have suffered just a pair of defeats from any of their previous 13 consecutive MLS appearances – a run that stems all the way back to July 17th.
- Philip Zinckernagel has recorded 29 direct goal contributions in his 32 MLS appearances this season.
- Orlando have mustered just a single win from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
- Thursday’s guests have failed to record a single MLS clean sheet since the middle of June.
Conclusion
Landing an empathic 3-1 victory when they last met Orlando back on June 1st, Chicago should be smelling a golden opportunity to extend on their play-off adventure here. Suffering just a pair of defeats from any of their previous 13 consecutive MLS appearances, Thursday’s hosts have also impressed with their free-scoring performances in the final third. Meeting an Orlando defence who have continued to show a string of glaring issues, we are backing a home win in midweek.
Verdict: Chicago Fire win
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet