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Chicago Fire vs Charlotte Prediction, Tips & Odds

Chicago Fire vs Charlotte

Major League SoccerRegular Season - 18
Chicago Fire
#4 · Major League Soccer
WWLLW
2 - 1
Soldier Field, Chicago
Referee: J. Freemon
Charlotte
#7 · Major League Soccer
WWLWD
★ OUR PICK
Over 2.5 Goals
Both sides average plenty of goals and trend toward open games — the over is the value pick here.
Totals
1.46
BEST ODDS
Our pick: Bookmakers offer average 1.42 (implied 70.2%) for Over 2.5 Goals. Our experts calculate a 72.7% probability (an expert ratio of 1.38). We chose this bet because our experts rate it more likely than the bookmaker price implies (72.7% vs 70.2%), driven by both sides' high goal output and tendency toward open games. That edge makes it our most confident selection for this match.

Match Preview

The model favours Chicago Fire to win against Charlotte, projecting a scoreline of 2-1. Chicago Fire currently sits in third place in the standings, having secured 26 points from 14 matches with a strong goal difference of +11. Their season has been marked by a solid attack, scoring 27 goals, and a robust defence, conceding only 16. Despite a recent dip in form with three wins and two losses in their last five matches, their overall performance this season positions them as a strong contender. Charlotte, on the other hand, occupies the sixth spot with 21 points from 15 games, reflecting a more inconsistent season. They have recorded six wins but have also faced six defeats, indicating challenges in both scoring and defending. With a goal difference of just +1, their defensive vulnerabilities have been evident, allowing 23 goals while scoring 24. Their recent form shows two wins, one draw, and two losses, highlighting their struggle to maintain consistency. The model output suggests a win probability of around 55% for Chicago Fire, with a projected score of 2-1. One key market percentage to note is that Chicago Fire is likely to be favoured in the betting lines. However, a potential caveat for Chicago is their recent form, which could indicate vulnerability if they fail to regain their winning momentum. The full method behind this prediction is detailed in the "How We Reached This Prediction" section, conducted by The Daily Punt Analysis Team using an in-house model that evaluates expected goals and actual results throughout the season.

Betting Predictions

How the model works, and its full prediction record, are set out on our How It Works and Accuracy pages.

Match Result
Chicago Fire Win57%1.51
Draw19%4.60
Charlotte Win24%5.40
BTTS
Both Teams to Score: Yes
1.5161.1%

Both attacks have been productive in recent matches, with regular goal-scoring on either side.

Over/Under Goals
Over 2.5 Goals
1.4262.9%

Combined goal output is high (3.4 per game). The over has been the right side more often than not.

Correct Score
Chicago Fire 2-1 Charlotte
7.7113.0%

The most likely scoreline per our model at 13.0% probability.

Asian Handicap
Chicago Fire -1.5
2.2537%

Chicago Fire have been the stronger side, winning 46% of their matches.

CORRECT SCOREMost likely outcomes
2-1
7.71
13.0%
1-1
8.73
11.5%
2-0
9.19
11.0%
1-0
10.05
10.0%
3-1
10.25
9.8%
3-0
11.92
8.5%

Our model projects a 2-1 Chicago Fire win as the most likely scoreline at 13.0% probability. 3 of the top six outcomes feature Chicago Fire clean sheets, in line with their 32% clean-sheet rate this season.

ASIAN HANDICAPLines & prices
Chicago Fire
-0.0
1.20
Charlotte
+0.0
4.30
Chicago Fire
-0.5
1.48
Charlotte
+0.5
4.72
Chicago Fire
-1.5
2.25
Charlotte
+1.5
10.00

Lines averaged across 3 bookmakers. Chicago Fire are the favourites on the spread, so the larger handicaps pay more if they win comfortably while the smaller lines protect the bet on a narrower result.

Best Betting Odds

Chicago Fire vs Charlotte
Bookmaker1X2O/U 2.5BTTS
1X2OverUnderYesNo
10Bet
1.514.405.501.452.701.502.40
Marathonbet
1.494.705.301.372.681.502.38
Betfair
1.504.605.501.402.881.502.38
Pinnacle
1.524.885.671.432.91
SBO
1.494.485.22
William Hill
1.504.605.001.502.40
Bet365
1.534.335.501.442.701.532.38
Unibet
1.524.505.501.452.701.522.38
888Sport
1.504.605.001.402.751.502.40
Betano
1.554.855.701.442.871.522.42
Superbet
1.514.755.451.462.751.562.35
BetVictor
1.504.505.501.402.801.472.45

Goals Probability

Avg. bookmaker odds
Over 0.5 Goals
94.6%
Over 1.5 Goals
84.2%
Over 2.5 Goals
62.9%
Over 3.5 Goals
45.5%

Double Chance

Bet covers two outcomes
1XChicago Fire or Draw
76%1.14
12Chicago Fire or Charlotte
81%1.17
X2Draw or Charlotte
43%2.47

Head to Head

Last 8 Meetings (Charlotte leads 5-3)
3 Chicago Fire0 Draw5 Charlotte
Jun 25
Chicago Fire
3-2
Charlotte
Major League Soccer
May 25
Charlotte
1-4
Chicago Fire
Major League Soccer
Oct 24
Charlotte
4-3
Chicago Fire
Major League Soccer
May 24
Chicago Fire
0-1
Charlotte
Major League Soccer
Oct 23
Chicago Fire
0-2
Charlotte
Major League Soccer
May 23
Charlotte
2-1
Chicago Fire
Major League Soccer
Sept 22
Chicago Fire
2-3
Charlotte
Major League Soccer
Aug 22
Charlotte
2-3
Chicago Fire
Major League Soccer

In the last eight matches between Chicago Fire and Charlotte, Charlotte leads with five wins, while Chicago Fire has three victories, and there have been no draws. The scorelines indicate a competitive rivalry, with several matches featuring narrow margins, such as three games decided by just one goal. However, there have also been instances of heavier defeats, like Charlotte's 4-3 win in 2024 and Chicago's 4-1 win earlier that same year. Chicago Fire has not won against Charlotte in their last three encounters, highlighting Charlotte's recent dominance in this matchup.

Major League Soccer Standings

#TeamPWDLGFGAGDPtsForm
1
Vancouver Whitecaps
17104338172134
DDLWL
1
Nashville SC
18124235142140
DLWWW
2
Los Angeles FC
19104535191634
DWWWW
2
Inter Miami
18115245321338
DWWWW
3
San Jose Earthquakes
18103537241333
LDLWL
3
New England Revolution
189362823530
LDWDL
4
Chicago Fire
179263223929
WLLWW
7
Charlotte
187472927225
LWDWW
14
Austin
184592236-1417
LLWLL
15
Atlanta United FC
1833121933-1412
LLDLL
15
Sporting Kansas City
1842121846-2814
LLWLL

Venue Record

Current season at home / on the road
Chicago FireHome
6W0D3L
9 playedGF 18 · GA 102.00 pts/game
CharlotteAway
2W1D5L
8 playedGF 9 · GA 160.88 pts/game

Key Statistics

2026 Season
Chicago FireCharlotte
1.75Goals p.g.1.68
1.36Goals conceded p.g.1.25
32%Clean sheets29%
46%Win rate46%
3.11Avg goals in match2.93
2.01xG per game1.55
0.26xGA per game-0.26
54%Possession %46%
6.1Shots on target / game4.9
4.6Corners per game4.9
Chicago Fire
Recent Form

Chicago Fire have won 8 of their last 13 matches at home, drawing 0 and losing 5. Their recent home fixtures include beat Necaxa 2-0 and beat Charlotte 2-1.

Overall, the wider run reads 13W 6D 9L from the last 28 games (46% win rate). The form line is positive, with more wins than defeats across the sample.

Match Results: Chicago FireAll competitions
07 Aug
Chicago Fire
2-0
Necaxa
Leagues Cup
02 Aug
Chicago Fire
2-1
Charlotte
Major League Soccer
25 Jul
New York City FC
3-1
Chicago Fire
Major League Soccer
22 Jul
Inter Miami
3-2
Chicago Fire
Major League Soccer
24 May
Chicago Fire
2-1
Toronto FC
Major League Soccer
16 May
CF Montreal
0-2
Chicago Fire
Major League Soccer
13
Win
46%
6
Draw
21%
9
Lost
32%
Charlotte
Recent Form

Charlotte have won 3 of their last 11 matches on the road, drawing 2 and losing 6. Their recent away fixtures include lost to Chicago Fire 2-1 and beat New York Red Bulls 0-2.

Overall, the wider run reads 13W 5D 10L from the last 28 games (46% win rate). The form line is positive, with more wins than defeats across the sample.

Match Results: CharlotteAll competitions
07 Aug
Charlotte
2-0
Atlas
Leagues Cup
05 Aug
Charlotte
3-0
U.N.A.M. - Pumas
Leagues Cup
02 Aug
Chicago Fire
2-1
Charlotte
Major League Soccer
25 Jul
New York Red Bulls
0-2
Charlotte
Major League Soccer
23 Jul
Charlotte
2-2
Atlanta United FC
Major League Soccer
23 May
Charlotte
1-0
New England Revolution
Major League Soccer
13
Win
46%
5
Draw
18%
10
Lost
36%

Lineups

Confirmed

Chicago Fire4-4-2Confirmed

2Leonardo BarrosoDEF
15Andrew GutmanDEF
3Jack ElliottDEF
16Joel WatermanDEF
17Robin LodFWD
9Robert LewandowskiFWD
1Chris BradyGK
19Jonathan BambaMID
6Anton SalétrosMID
42Dje Tah D'AvillaMID
11Philip ZinckernagelMID
5Samuel RogersDEF
22Mauricio PinedaDEF
14Viktor RadojevićDEF
24Jonathan DeanDEF
20Jason ShokalookFWD
12Puso DithejaneFWD
44Josh CohenGK
7Maren Haile-SelassieMID
35Sergio OregelMID

Charlotte4-3-3Confirmed

44Morrison AgyemangDEF
15Harry ToffoloDEF
22Henry KesslerDEF
14Nathan ByrneDEF
11Liel AbadaFWD
9Idan ToklomatiFWD
16Pep BielFWD
1Kristijan KahlinaGK
17Luca De La TorreMID
8Ashley WestwoodMID
28Djibril DianiMID
35Will ClearyDEF
23David SchneggDEF
4Andrew PrivettDEF
7Archie GoodwinFWD
25Tyger SmallsFWD
37Rodolfo AlokoFWD
21Tyler MillerGK
20Baye CoulibalyMID
13Brandt BronicoMID

Unavailable Players

7 players

Chicago Fire4

A. Franco
Missing FixtureKnee Injury
C. Cupps
Missing FixtureInternational duty
C. Mueller
Missing FixtureInactive
M. Mbokazi
Missing FixtureLower-Body Injury

Charlotte3

A. John
Missing FixtureUpper-Body Injury
A. Saint-Maximin
Missing FixtureInactive
N. Berchimas
Missing FixtureInternational duty

Betting Strategy

High-probability picks are the most likely outcomes. Value selections are markets where our model's probability sits above the price implied by the odds. They will not always come in, but the odds are in your favour over time.

High Probability
Chicago Fire Win1.51 (57%)
Over 2.5 Goals1.42 (62.9%)
Both Teams Score1.51 (61.1%)
Value Bets
Under 2.5 Goals2.77 (37.1%)
BTTS No2.39 (38.9%)
Speculative
Draw4.60 (18.9%)
Charlotte Win5.40 (24.2%)

Yellow Card Prediction

J. Freemon has been appointed as the referee for this fixture. We don't yet have enough recent fixtures officiated by J. Freemon to give a confident card-market projection. Our default lean is under 3.5 yellow cards at 1.95.

Corner Prediction

Chicago Fire have averaged 4.6 corners per match at home; Charlotte 4.9 on the road. Combined that projects roughly 5.8 corners in this fixture. Our pick is under 9.5 corners at 1.80.

Player Stats Bet

Chicago Fire have generated 2.01 xG per game across their recent matches, winning 46% of them. They put 6.1 shots on target per match, giving their attackers the volume needed to land a goal-involvement bet. Chicago Fire player to score at 1.85 looks well supported by the data.

What's Your Prediction?

Pick the result you expect

OUR PREDICTION
2.5 Goals Over

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The Daily Punt Analysis Team

Data-driven football predictions and betting tips

This forecast was built by the The Daily Punt Analysis Team using our in-house statistical model. We feed the model two layers of data for every fixture: each team's recent expected goals (xG and xGA) and their actual goals scored and conceded, split by home and away venue. The numbers run through a Poisson distribution that produces a probability for every possible scoreline, which we then convert into fair odds for the 1X2, correct score, BTTS, and over/under markets.

Before publishing, we cross-check our fair odds against the prices the major bookmakers are offering. Where a bookmaker is paying out more than our model says is mathematically fair, we flag that market as a value bet on this page.