Prediction: Toronto FC vs Chicago Fire

Verdict: Toronto FC draw no bet 

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who find themselves firmly battling it out at the foot of the Eastern Conference, Toronto will welcome Chicago to BMO Field in the early hours of Sunday.

Toronto FC

Starting with the hosts, although Toronto might have managed to find a mild boost earlier in the week while on Canadian Championship duties, it doesn’t cover what has been a nightmare run of form. Only just about managing to snatch a last-gasp 2-1 win away at little-known HDX Wanderers a few days ago, Head Coach Bob Bradley finds growing pressure on his shoulders. Although the Reds might have been last seen on MLS action playing out a lively 2-2 draw away at DC United, that is the only point that the one-time Swansea boss has seen his side collect from their last six attempts. Opening this weekend’s fixtures holding just a single point buffer over Saturday’s guests and slipping to the foot of the Eastern Conference, Toronto have the feel of a side in crisis. Really enduring a public collapse since claiming the MLS title five years ago, it should also be noted that they have also suffered back-to-back defeats at BMO Field.

Team News

Scoring on his return from injury last weekend, midfielder Jonathan Osorio should be in for a full return here.

However, the Reds once again look set to be without the likes of Kadin Chung, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Chris Mavinga, Noble Okello and Alejandro Pozuelo.

Chicago Fire

As for the visitors, while Chicago might have been last seen putting in a gritty display on the road, the Fire also find themselves firmly at the heart of an MLS nightmare. Eventually getting hit with a 1-0 loss away at New York City, Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson has failed to offer any kind of boost since taking charge at Soldier Field. Sat rock-bottom of the Eastern Conference and with many tipping them as a standout pick to lift this season’s wooden spoon, they have now failed to win any of their last 10 straight matchups across all formats. With their woeful run of form stemming all the way back to March 19th, Chicago have also shown a host of problems at the back. Crashing out of the US Open Cup last month after a shock 3-2 defeat at home against lower-league Union Omaha, Saturday’s guests have failed to record a single clean sheet over the past six weeks.

Team News

Chicago have already confirmed that the duo of Spencer Richey and Javier Casas will miss out at BMO Field.

Likewise, the Fire are also sweating over the fitness of 32-year-old defender Rafael Czichos who is still dealing with a muscular injury.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back on MLS duties back in October, Toronto picked up a 3-1 victory on home soil.
• However, Saturday’s hosts have managed to collect just a single point from any of their previous six MLS matchups.
• Likewise, Chicago have failed to win any of their last 10 straight contests across all formats.
• The Fire have also failed to score more than a single strike in eight of their previous nine MLS fixtures.
• However, 12 of Toronto’s last 13 MLS matchups at BMO Field have finished with over 1.5 goals.

Conclusion

In what is a real showdown at the foot of the Eastern Conference, both Toronto and Chicago will know that they face a real must-win showdown here. However, while the MLS strugglers might be in the midst of another domestic nightmare, Saturday’s hosts could be boosted by a welcomed distraction last time out. Eventually snatching a late 2-1 victory away at HFX Wanderers while on Canadian Cup duties, Toronto must find a way to build off of that result. Up against a Chicago side who are also dealing with their own rather public issues, Bradley’s downbeat squad should at least be boosted by their continued success against their fellow strugglers. Claiming a 3-1 victory the last time the Fire visited BMO Field, we’re backing a home draw no bet.

Verdict: Toronto FC draw no bet 

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Unibet