- Team form: Chicago Fire are unbeaten in five MLS 2026 matches, winning four and drawing one.
- Home form: Chicago Fire have won four and lost one of their five home games in MLS 2026.
Fire to flex their attacking muscle against leaky visitors
Chicago's play style
Chicago Fire are enjoying a red-hot start to the MLS 2026 campaign, sitting 7th with 17 points from their first nine games under Gregg Berhalter. The former USMNT manager has instilled a controlled, possession-based style on his team since taking the reins in October 2024, allowing his side to morph between a fluid 4-3-3 and a back three, with selective pressing and an emphasis on tempo and structure.
Recent results
Chicago Fire’s last result was a resounding 5-0 win at home against Sporting Kansas City in MLS 2026, while Cincinnati, who sit 19th in the table with 12 points from 10 games, are on a run of one win, three draws, and one defeat from their last five matches in MLS 2026. Their last three games have been two high-scoring ties and a 2-0 home win, and they look good going forward, but are still vulnerable at the back.
Cincinnati’s threat
Pat Noonan’s Cincinnati are a high-pressing team who look to win the ball back quickly in the middle third and get it forward in transition, with Kevin Denkey providing the biggest threat up top. The Ghanaian forward has six goals in nine MLS 2026 games, while he has scored four times in his last five appearances, so he will be a key man on Sunday.
However, Cincinnati have been leaky on their travels, conceding 16 goals in their five away matches in MLS 2026, which is a major worry.
Chicago Fire to take the win
Home advantage
Chicago Fire have a solid home record in MLS 2026, with four wins and just one defeat in their first five games at Soldier Field. Berhalter’s tactical tweaks have made them very difficult to break down at home and lethal when they get it right, while Cincinnati look weak on the counter-attack and have not earned enough points this season to warrant support.
Betting angles
Backing Chicago Fire to win at 1.76 looks the best bet for Sunday’s game, while the 1.39 odds for Over 2.5 goals and 1.43 for Both Teams to Score appeal for a high-scoring end-to-end game. Chicago Fire are without a win in two home games against Cincinnati, but will look to rectify that here.
Players to watch
- Chicago Fire’s flexible 4-3-3 has given them more of an identity and makes them difficult to play against, while Hugo Cuypers will be a constant threat in the box.
- The forward has eight goals in six MLS 2026 appearances and looks good for a goal, while Philip Zinckernagel has chipped in with four goals in the Fire’s last five games.
