Windy City welcomes table-toppers in the USA
Philadelphia should be too solid to let this one slip in the Windy City on Thursday when they face a desperate Chicago Fire team that are in need of the points.
Top of the MLS 2025 table with 37 points from 18 games, Union have shown their class and steel throughout this campaign to date while the hosts sit 17th with 25 points from 17 matches.
Union boss Bradley Carnell has given the side a defensive solidity and pragmatism that has served them well in 2025, but Gregg Berhalter’s more attack-minded system has certainly brought more joy to the Fire fans since he took over last October. According to our Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Union prediction, Philadelphia’s solid run gives them a clear edge for Thursday’s contest.
Head-to-head history points to a tight game
Both of these clubs have won one each and drawn two of their last four MLS meetings, so we can expect fireworks of some kind on Thursday in what is always a lively fixture between two clubs that have never dominated one another.
Union will come into this game with the wind in their sails having followed up a gritty home win over Charlotte (2-1) with a resilient away draw against Dallas (0-0). This Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Union preview suggests another closely contested match, considering both teams’ current form and history.
Chicago, meanwhile, have won three and lost two of their last five matches, but they come into this match on the back of a 0-2 home defeat to Nashville.
Union have a strong away record
The Fire have won only once in seven home matches in MLS 2025, with four draws and two defeats, so the road team are given the vote here based on the latest Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Union odds.
Union have a terrific away record of five wins and two losses from eight matches played and will have enough steel in their defensive and transition play to put in a strong showing.
Kai Wagner and Jesus Bueno will be the defensive bedrock and counter-pressing engines of a game plan that should see the visitors come through with the points. In this Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Union prediction, Union’s away consistency provides them another advantage over the hosts.
The shared 4-2-3-1 formation adds an interesting chess-like element to this fixture, which could lead to a few changes of momentum.
