Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips
Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire Preview
Philadelphia Union will start their MLS campaign with a home game against Chicago Fire at the Subaru Park on Saturday. The two sides will be keen on putting the 2023 season behind them and focusing on going deep into the season.
Union had their earliest exit from the season since 2020 last season when they lost 1-0 to FC Cincinnati in the second round of the MLS Cup. They have ensured that most of their squad from last season remains intact while also adding a host of players to strengthen it.
Sanders Ngabo, Isaiah LeFlore, Nick Pariano, Markus Anderson, and Oliver Semmle are the fresh faces signed while Kai Wagner and Alejandro Bedoya were re-signed in the off-season. There are two new loan additions at the club, with Jamir Berdecio joining from Oriente Petrolero and Oliver Semmle coming in from Louisville City.
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Bedoya, the club captain, looked set to leave at the end of his last season, but he has stayed for another season. He has taken an additional role as a player development and front-office specialist, so his playing time could be limited.
Managing to keep Kai Wagner is also a big boost as he will be key in defense. The German has been at the club since 2019 and will be one of their best players without a doubt.
Chicago Fire have had a stunning overhaul in the summer, with as many as nine players leaving and as many coming into the squad. The addition of Kellyn Acosta will be the one to watch as the experienced star comes in after spells at FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids, and LAFC.
Hugo Cuypers has also been signed for a club-record fee, but is a doubt for the first game due to visa issues. He comes in after a good spell at the Belgian side Gent, where he scored 51 goals in 90 games.
Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire Team News
Philadelphia Union have an injury issue ahead of their season opener, with Leon Flach out due to a torn pec. Jack Elliott’s status remains doubtful after he missed the CONCACAF Champions Cup game against Deportivo Saprissa.
Chris Mueller and Victor Bezerra should be back in the Chicago Fire squad this season after missing the majority of the 2023 season. Carlos Teran is out of the game and should be back only in April after undergoing a knee surgery.
Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire Predicted Lineups
A drastic formation chance in not expected at Philadelphia Union and going by their pre-season and CONCACAF Champions Cup matches, they should be going in with a 4-3-1-2 formation. Blake will be the one trusted between the posts again with Harriel, Glesnes, Elliott and Wagner starting in front of him.
Bedoya, Martinez and McGlynn should form the base of the midfield with Gazdag playing in a free role in front of them. Carranza, who scored a hattrick earlier this week in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, should be playing up front with Uhre.
Predicted XI: Blake; Harriel, Sword, Elliott, Wagner; Martinez; Bedoya, McGlynn; Gazdag; Uhre, Carranza
Brady should be handed the duties for the season opener with the gloves. Allan Arigoni, who is on loan from FC Lugano, should be the one starting at right-back while new signings Tobias Salquist and Andrew Gutman form the backline with Czichos.
Navarro and Kellyn Acosta are the likely duo to be playing as the defensive midfielders with Xherdan Shaqiri, Gutierrez and Haile-Selassie in front of them. Hugo Cuypers is the one expected to start in the attack but if his visa issues aren’t resolved, it will be 20-year-old Georgios Koutsias playing up front.
Predicted XI: Brady; Arigoni, Salquist, Czichos, Gutman; Navarro, Acosta; Shaqiri, Gutierrez, Haile Selassie; Cuyper
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Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire Head-to-Head
Chicago Fire 2-2 Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union 1-0 Chicago Fire
Philadelphia Union 4-1 Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire 1-0 Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union 1-1 Chicago Fire
Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire Prediction:
Philadelphia Union have won half of the last 10 matches against Chicago Fire. The away side have managed to win just twice, and both have come at home.
The main issue for the away side would be discipline, as they have seen their players sent off five times in the last 10 matches. They have not scored just thrice in those games, so it is likely that we see a lot of goals once again as both set of players are not up and running yet.
Prediction: Philadelphia Union 3-1 Chicago Fire
Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire Betting Tips
- Philadelphia Union win.
- Both Teams To Score: Yes.
- Over 2.5 Goals: Yes.
Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire Odds
Philadelphia Union Win: 1.70
Draw: 4.20
Chicago Fire Win: 5.25
Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire Timings & Telecast
- Subaru Park – 25th February – 00:30 GMT
- India: MLS Season Pass
- United Kingdom: MLS Season Pass
- US: Fox, Fox Desportes and FS1