On Saturday, September 28th, the 8th place Toronto team travels to take on the 14th place Chicago Fire at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL. This match is set to start at 8:30 PM. The ML odds have Toronto at +250 compared to Chicago's -109. The payout for a draw is sitting at +290, and the over/under goal line is 2.5 goals. Toronto is on a two-game losing streak and is 11-17-3 this season. Chicago is also on a two-game losing streak and has a record of 7-16-8.
Toronto vs. Chicago Fire Matchup At A Glance
- Teams: Toronto at Chicago Fire
- Where: Bridgeview, IL at SeatGeek Stadium
- Date: Saturday, September 28th
- Betting Odds CHI -109 | TOR +250 O/U 2.5
Toronto Preview
Heading into this match, Toronto is looking to snap a two-match losing streak. Over their last four matches, they have just one win. On the season, Toronto is 11-17-3, which has them in 8th place in the Eastern Conference. They have struggled on the road, going just 4-9-3. Overall, they have been favored in 13 matches, going 7-6 in those contests. Following this match, Toronto will return home to take on the New York Red Bulls on October 2nd.
Leading the way for Toronto this season in goals scored is Federico Bernardeschi. Bernardeschi has found the back of the net eight times this season, which is 45th in the MLS. He also leads the club in shots on goal, with 32, which is 13th in the league. As a team, Toronto is 26th in the MLS in goals scored, averaging 1.2 per match. They are also 25th in shots on goal per match, with 3.9.
Over their last five matches, the Toronto defense has given up an average of 1.6 goals per match. However, they have had some favorable matchups, including Austin FC (28th in scoring) and Houston Dynamo (19th in scoring). They have also given up three goals to D.C. United (16th in scoring) and two goals to both the Colorado Rapids (7th in scoring) and Columbus Crew (3rd in scoring). Overall, they are 23rd in goals allowed per match at 1.8, and they are 21st in blocked shots and 20th in interceptions. Keeper Sean Johnson is 14th in clean sheets and 22nd in saves.
Chicago Fire Preview
Heading into their match against Toronto, the Chicago Fire are looking to snap a two-match losing streak. Overall, they are just 7-16-8, which has them in 14th place in the Eastern Conference. Their road record of 2-9-5 has been a major issue, but they have been slightly better at home, going 5-7-3. Over their last three matches, they have just one win, which came against the New York Red Bulls on September 15th. Following this match, they will head on the road to take on Charlotte FC on October 2nd.
Chicago Fire's offense has been led by Hugo Cuypers, who has scored 10 goals this season, which is 28th in MLS. Cuypers also leads the team in shots on goal, with 31, which is 15th in the league. Ariel Lassiter is the team's leader in assists, with five, and he is also fourth on the team in goals scored. This season, Chicago is averaging 1.2 goals per match, which is 25th in MLS, and they are 23rd in shots on goal per match. They have had fewer corner kicks than their opponents in 51.6% of their matches this season, and their passing percentage is 82.5%, which is 22nd in the league.
Over their last six matches, the Chicago Fire defense has given up 11 goals (1.8 goals per match). This includes giving up two goals to CF Montréal, who has the 21st ranked offense in MLS. On the season, the Fire's defense is 21st in goals allowed (1.7) and 25th in blocked shots. Keeper Christopher Brady is 23rd in clean sheets (4) and 9th in saves (95).
Toronto vs. Chicago Fire Head To Head
In the only matchup between Chicago and Toronto this season, Chicago came away with a 4-1 win. Chicago had eight shots on goal compared to six for Toronto.
Toronto vs Chicago Fire Free Pick
Given the projections for this match, we are going to take Toronto on the money line at +250. Our projections have this one finishing in a 1-1 draw, with Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto) being our top projected goal scorer. Looking at the matchup, Toronto comes in with the edge in terms of passing percentage and they are also 20th in the league in shooting percentage, compared to Chicago, who is 26th.
- KnupSports.com Free Betting Pick: DRAW +290
