- Chicago form: Chicago Fire have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five MLS 2026 matches, which includes a 4-2 win at Colorado Rapids.
- Columbus form: Columbus Crew have won four of their last five MLS 2026 games and are on a three-game winning streak, with a 2-0 win away at Cincinnati preceding last weekend's 3-0 home win over San Jose.
- Market view: The Fire are the best value of the three options in the match result market and have been shaky at home.
Fire to edge out in-form Crew
Columbus Crew have found some good form under Laurent Courtois, who has overseen a three-game winning streak since taking the reins on 17 May 2026, but the Black & Gold will find it tough to win at Soldier Field against a solid home team on Saturday.
The Crew are on a three-game win streak, having beat Cincinnati 2-0 and San Jose 3-0 in their most recent away games, but they may still be underdogs for this fixture at 3.5 against a Chicago Fire team that is 1.84. The draw, priced at 4.1, is also too short to back for a matchup between a fifth-placed team with 55 points from 33 games and 14th-placed Columbus with 44 points.
The Men in Red have struggled for form in their two most recent home games, however, going 0-1-1 with a 1-1 draw to New York Red Bulls and a 2-1 loss to Seattle Sounders, so they will need to make a clean start to this contest.
Midfield chess match should suit Fire
Tactical battle
Gregg Berhalter's structured possession game has given the Fire a clear identity since he took over as head coach on 20 October 2024. They build up in a controlled way and can change shape to pin teams back when they have the ball – a method that could lead to a fast-chess midfield battle against a Columbus side that blends possession with more direct vertical attacks and situational pressing.
Key players and form
- Diego Rossi is Columbus' main man up front, with six MLS 2026 goals to his name, so the Black & Gold have a proven finisher.
- Chicago have their own talisman in Hugo Cuypers, who has 13 goals in his last 11 league appearances to give the Fire a ruthless edge in the box.
- Jonathan Bamba has also added a spark to the side with three goals in his last five appearances and the Fire have scored 10 goals in that period, so we think they can nick this one, albeit in a very close MLS 2026 encounter with goals at both ends.
Odds and prediction
Both teams to score is 1.42, with over 2.5 goals at the same price, suggesting this should be an open game with plenty of chances at either end.
Columbus have won their last two road games, however, and we think they can make the Fire earn this one against their leaky defence in Chicago.
Columbus are 4-3-9 on the road in MLS 2026 and average 1.88 goals per game conceded, so we like the Fire's chances of nicking it. Chicago are 9-2-5 at home in MLS 2026 and have scored 30 in 16 games, so have been a steady threat at Soldier Field.
Columbus' chief creator has been Dylan Chambost, who has five assists in his last five, while Gonzalo Tapia has three goals in that same spell, so we are going for a Chicago win and BTTS.
