Chicago Fire vs Houston Dynamo Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Chicago Fire look to bounce back on home soil again after recording defeats in two of their last three MLS outings (W1 L2). Fire once again had some offensive issues in their 3-0 loss on the road to Columbus Crew on Saturday, and scoring one or less goals in 60 percent of matches this season is something coach Veljko Paunovic will need to address. He’ll no doubt be hoping an outing at the Toyota Park will reignite a spark somewhere in forward Nemanja Nikolic, who is top scorer with five goals, and German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has four assists.

Houston Dynamo have been having a very “hit and miss” season, but are heading into this as the in-form side with just one defeat from their last five (W2 D2 L1). Houston are averaging a much stronger 2.2 goals scored per game on the road, but their conceded numbers are equally as high, which is where a lot of their issues have been up to this point – in fact, Wilmer Cabrera’s men have kept a clean sheet in just 11% of their MLS matches this season. However, something like this comes as no surprise when looking over their unfortunate injury circumstances (see team news).

So what looks to be worth betting here? Well, after that introduction you have to like the look of a high scoring match. While Chicago Fire haven’t been in the best shape in front of goal, you have to like their chances to net a few against a weak Houston Dynamo defense at the minute – in fact, Houston have conceded exactly two goals in seven of their last eight MLS outings! Chicago Fire’s top scorer, Nemanja Nikolic, has been at his best at Toyota Park too, scoring four of his five goals there, while Houston’s top scorer, Mauro Manotas, has scored in three of his last four away outings – the stage is set for lots of action!

Chicago Fire haven’t exactly got the best defensive record at home either, though, conceding two goals or more in three of their six outings there so far. Dynamo’s game plan looks to be more along the lines of “offense is the best defense”, and with the visitors averaging around 2.2 goals per game over their last five MLS outings, including a 5-1 thrashing of Toronto FC, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to see them take something away from Chicago – Houston Dynamo have actually drawn three of their four away games so far (D3 L1). All things considered, there looks to be reasonable value in backing a high-scoring draw on Sunday. Our prediction: a 2-2 draw.