Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Match Analysis and Prediction

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Philadelphia Union aim to remain at the top of the Eastern Conference by securing all three points when they travel to Soldier Field for their MLS encounter with Chicago Fire on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the hosts could move off the foot of the table if they claim their second successive victory on home soil.

Chicago Fire were condemned to their eighth league defeat of the season when they suffered a 2-0 defeat away at Houston Dynamo last weekend.

Despite recording 17 shots on goal, they were unable to breach Houston’s backline, while the hosts scored twice in the first half through goals from Thorleifur Ulfarsson and Darwin Quintero.

The Fire are already nine points behind the playoff spots and currently sit level on points at the bottom of the table with DC United.

However, Ezra Hendrickson’s side have scored in four of their last five meetings with Philadelphia, despite winning only once during that period, with their 2-0 home win in September 2019 their only victory in their last nine competitive encounters against Union.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia picked up all three points in dramatic fashion when they defeated New York City FC 2-1 on home turf last weekend.

Heading into their contest with the reigning MLS Cup champions, they had won once, lost twice and drawn seven of their previous 10 matches across all competitions. However, Union were able to get over the line and claim three crucial points to leapfrog their title rivals to the summit.

Having extended their unbeaten league run to 10 matches, Jim Curtin’s side now sit two points clear of New York City FC at the top of the Eastern Conference, albeit the latter having a game in hand.

Philadelphia now have three successive matches against the bottom three teams in the Eastern Conference, with Thursday’s contest against Chicago up first.

Chacago Fire vs Philadelphia Union head to head

The two teams have previously met on 33 occasions across all competitions, where Chicago have claimed 10 victories while Philadelphia have won 15, and they have drawn eight. Chicago have scored 42 goals and conceded 52. In their last five meetings, Chicago have won once, Philadelphia twice with two draws.

Philadelphia Union 2-1 Chicago Fire 29/10/20

Chicago Fire 1-0 Philadelphia Union 20/03/21

Chicago Fire 0-2 Philadelphia Union 08/05/21

Chicago Fire 3-3 Philadelphia Union 27/06/21

Philadelphia Union 1-1 Chicago Fire 02/08/21

Chicago Fire latest home form

Chicago Fire have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just one of their six most recent matches. They defeated DC United 1-0 in their last home game in the MLS. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded six.

Chicago Fire 0-0 LA Galaxy 17/04/22

Chicago Fire 2-2(P) Union Omaha 20/04/22

Chicago Fire 1-2 New York RB 01/05/22

Chicago Fire 1-2 Cincinnati 15/05/22

Chicago Fire 1-0 D.C. United 19/05/22

Chicago Fire latest away form

Chicago Fire have recently been on a poor run of form on the road, having failed to win any of their seven most recent matches. They lost 2-0 to Houston Dynamo in their last away game in the MLS. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded 13.

Atlanta United 4-1 Chicago Fire 08/05/22

New York RB 3-3 Chicago Fire 19/05/22

New York City 1-0 Chicago Fire 23/05/22

Toronto 3-2 Chicago Fire 29/05/22

Houston Dynamo 2-0 Chicago Fire 26/06/22

Philadelphia Union latest home form

Philadelphia have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their 10 most recent matches. They managed to defeat New York City 2-1 in their last home game in the MLS. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded four.

Philadelphia Union 1-1 Montreal 23/04/22

Philadelphia Union 1-1 New York RB 15/05/22

Philadelphia Union 0-0 Inter Miami 19/05/22

Philadelphia Union 1-1 Cincinnati 19/06/22

Philadelphia Union 2-1 New York City 27/06/22

Philadelphia Union latest away form

Philadelphia Union have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with New England in their last away game in the MLS. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded six.

Nashville SC 1-1 Philadelphia Union 01/05/22

Los Angeles 2-2 Philadelphia Union 08/05/22

Orlando City 2-1 Philadelphia Union 11/05/22

Portland Timbers 0-2 Philadelphia Union 23/05/22

New England 1-1 Phialdelphia Union 29/05/22

Chicago Fire news

Chicago Fire’s Xherdan Shaqiri has missed the last two matches with a thigh injury and is doubtful for this contest, while Chris Brady will remain sideline with an ankle problem.

Kacper Przybylko is set to lead the line for the hosts, with support on the flanks by Stanislav Ivanov and Fabian Herbers.

Philadelphia Union news

Curtis is set to stick with a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Daniel Gazdag expected to operate in the number 10 role in front of centre-midfield trio Leon Flach, Jose Martinez and Alejandro Bedoya.

Burke will be hoping to force his way into the first XI ahead of Junlian Carranza, having scored the winning goal on Sunday.

Prediction and Odds

Philadelphia have drawn a lot of matches in recent weeks and have also drawn their last two fixtures with Chicago, but last weekend’s victory should give them plenty confidence.

The visitors will be firm favourites to defeat the lowest ranked MLS side and they should secure a win on the road.

Odds: 1 2.30 X 2.10 2 1.89