Chicago Fire v New England Bet Builder Stats & Predictions
Chicago Fire v New England
Kick Off: 01:30, Sunday 7th September
Competition: MLS
Watch Live:
For more Football Predictions for this weekend, as well as free-to-use betting tools, head over to my website, Andy’s Bet Club. I’ve also launched a free-to-play predictor game for the new season, which can see you bag up to £1m, see Andy’s £1m Premier League Predictor here.
Chicago Fire will be hoping to bounce back from their crushing 4-0 defeat against Philadelphia last time out, which was a defeat that pushed them out of the playoff spots. They welcome New England here, who have avoided defeat in 10 of their 14 away matches in the MLS this season.
Match Stats: Chicago are a completely different side at home
Chicago’s form had been pretty steady prior to their 4-0 drubbing by Eastern Conference leaders, Philadelphia. They’d won three of their five matches before that defeat, drawing the other two games, so it’s not like this setback was coming for Chicago, but it would have dealt a real blow to the squad who must pick themselves up for what could be just as tough an encounter.
Chicago have only managed to win four of their 13 home games in the MLS this season. They’ve won nearly double this amount of games when looking at their away record (7), which is a record that will really encourage New England. New England have scored 21 goals across their 14 away games in the MLS this season (1.5 per game) which is a total only bettered by three sides in the Eastern Conference. They’ve only lost four of these matches and will be looking to capitalise on the low mood that will currently be surrounding the Chicago players.
The most recent meeting between these sides was back in May and saw Chicago run out 3-1 winners as the away side, in the Open Cup. I can’t call a winner between these two sides, but I do think that both will be able to get on the scoresheet in what should be an exciting affair.
Predictions –
BTTS @ 1.5
Over 2.5 goals @ 1.53
New England to score @ 1.2
Shot Stats: Cuypers and Zinckernagel the ones to watch
Hugo Cuypers and Philip Zinckernagel have combined for 37 goal contributions in the MLS this season, making up 74% of Chicago’s total goals in the MLS this season. Chicago are totally reliant on this duo for their goals and should turn to them again in a crucial match after a bruising defeat.
Cuypers is more of an out and out goalscorer when compared to Zinckernagel. 15 of Cuypers’ 16 goal contributions in the MLS have been goals, whilst 11 of Zinckernagel’s 21 goal contributions have been assists. With this in mind, if you’re looking at the goal/assist market, it would make sense to back Zinckernagel over Cuypers, but if you’re just after a goalscorer, Cuypers would be my pick.
Both Cuypers and Zinckernagel scored in Chicago’s 3-1 win over New England in the Open Cup back in May of this year. Both players enter this game with momentum as well, Zinckernagel has registered four goal contributions across his last five matches in all competitions, whilst Cuypers has netted three goals in the same period.
Predictions –
Philip Zinckernagel to score/assist
Hugo Cuypers to score anytime
Hugo Cuypers 2+ shots on target
Card Stats: New England slightly more likely to be frustrated
Neither of these sides rank particularly high for cards or fouls in the MLS this season, but New England could catch the eye of the referee more regularly here when looking at the recent meetings between the sides. New England received four cards to Chicago’s one as the away side when they faced off in the MLS back in May. They also committed 18 fouls as the home side when Chicago made the trip to New England for the Open Cup.
These metrics would indicate that whilst neither side has the edge when it comes to cards and fouls when looking over their season averages, New England commit fouls and collect cards at a higher rate than their opponents, when lining up against Chicago.
Predictions –
New England to be shown the most cards
New England 2+ cards
By: @AndysBetClubUK
Featured Image: Justin Setterfield / Getty Images
18+ | Please Gamble Responsibly
Please include this at the bottom of the article