- Team form: Chicago have won their only home game in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup 2026/2027, averaging 2.00 goals per game scored and 0.00 goals per game conceded.
- Away form: Santos Laguna are winless on the road in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup 2026/2027, with 0 goals scored from 1 match.
- Recent results: Chicago have won 3 of their last 5 matches, while Santos Laguna have won just 1 of their last 5.
Chicago can make a statement in the CONCACAF
Chicago Fire will take on Santos Laguna Mexico in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup 2026-2027 at Soldier Field this Monday and their hosts have enough momentum and momentum to see off the visiting team. The two clubs are separated by 24 places and 3 points in the overall rankings, with Chicago in 9th place having taken 3 points from 1 match and Santos Laguna in 33rd having taken 0 from 1.
Chicago come into this one with their tail up after back-to-back wins while Santos Laguna are on a run of just 1 win from 5 after losing 4 on the spin.
Hosts can hold the width of the pitch
Tactics
Gregg Berhalter has his Fire playing patient football in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system, so they can build up from the back and they have enough quality and discipline to operate within the structure of their press, which has been well-practised of late.
Renato Paiva is pushing his men to play in a high-energy 4-3-3 system with width and verticality, but the press has been inconsistent.
Key players
- Andrew Gutman has been a spark with 1 goal in 1 appearance in the Leagues Cup 2026/2027 campaign, while Anton Saletros already has 1 assist in 1 appearance, giving Chicago the edge in the central areas.
- Lucas Di Yorio has scored 2 goals in the last 5 matches for Santos Laguna, while Ezequiel Bullaude has supplied 3 of their 5 assists in the same period.
Chicago have the edge
The odds certainly reflect the fact that Chicago are the home side and clear favourites at 1.6 with Santos at 4.0 and the draw also at 4.0. We like the Fire to edge a close but winnable game against a weaker opponent if they can control the tempo as they like to do.
A Chicago win and under 3.5 goals looks a logical option here. This is the first competitive clash between the two sides and it is hard to make a case for the away side.
