FC Dallas vs Chicago Fire Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Its tight at the top of the Western Conference with the top three sides separated by just two points, and at the top of the pile are Sunday’s hosts Dallas who hold a one point lead over the MLS’s latest franchise LAFC. This weekend Dallas will be expecting to return to winning ways when they play host to Chicago Fire, especially after the disappointment of losing away at Real Salt Lake last time out. The visitors are enduring a disappointing campaign, but could move into the top six this weekend if they win and both Philadelphia Union and Montreal Impact both fail to take maximum points from their games.

Chicago Fire played host to Dallas back in May 2017 in a game that started in the most frantic of manners. Just three minutes had passed when Nikolić opened the scoring to put Chicago Fire in front, but the sides were level in the sixth minute when Dallas’ Belgium star Lamah netted the equaliser after good work from Colmán. Amazingly the host restored their lead before the clock reached the ten minute mark, thanks to a ninth minute strike from Accam, a goal which proved to be the winner, to everyone’s surprise. The rest of the first half, and in truth all of the second, proved to be a bit of a bore, as both teams appeared to adopt a more defensive style after an incredibly open first ten minutes. The only real goal scoring opportunity of the second half fell to Chicago Fire in stoppage time when they were awarded a penalty, but Hungarian striker Nikolić fluffed his lines. Thankfully for the hosts that proved to be the final action of the match and despite missing a spot kick, Chicago Fire claimed all three points.

With three wins and three defeats from their last six matches it’s Dallas who claim the title of form favourites ahead of Sunday’s latest encounter with Chicago Fire. The visitors may have lost one fewer games than their hosts in the last six matches, but with two wins and two draws they sit behind Dallas in the form guide. We’re expecting both teams to get on the scoreboard on Sunday and for over 2.5 goals to be scored as both teams have been in great form going forward, but haven’t kept many clean sheets at the same time. Five of Chicago’s last six matches have seen both teams score, while three of Dallas’ and four of Chicago’s last six games have produced over 2.5 goals. This is a fixture that produces plenty of goals for both sides, with five of the last seven encounters witnessing both teams score and over 2.5 goals.

Lamah top scores in the MLS for Dallas this season with seven goals, but teammate Urruti is just as much of a threat in the final third having netted six goals himself. Both are expected to return to the starting lineup this weekend after coming off the bench at half time during the defeat at Real Salt Lake. Chicago Fire have plenty of goals in them and Katai and Nikolić are the clubs joint top scorers in the league with nine goals apiece, as things stand.

We’re confident that both teams will get on the scoreboard in Sunday’s game and that over 2.5 goals will be scored in the process. This is a fixture that more often that not produces plenty of goals and chances for either side and we’re hoping for more of the same on Sunday. In terms of a final score, we’re going with a 2-2 draw as both teams have been a little inconsistent of late and might not do enough to win the match.

Dallas’ Predicted Lineup: Gonzalez, Ziegler, Hedges, Reaves, Cannon, Acosta, Gruezo, Ulloa, Urruti, Akindele, Lamah.

Chicago Fire’s Predicted Lineup: Sánchez, Kappelhof, Corrales, Collier, Campbell, Schweinsteiger, McCarty, Katai, Bronico, Nikolić, Campos.