Every now and again, you look at a betting line and ask yourself if something just doesn't look right. In the case of this Sunday, it really feels like the Chicago Fire, who have yet to win a game on the road in 2015, should be in a lot of trouble against the Philadelphia Union.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The odds aren't telling that tale, though. The Union, who did just knock off this same Chicago team in the US Open Cup earlier this week, haven't lived up to their expectations this season at 6-5-13, but they are still very dangerous, especially here in Chester.
Philly is a -107 odds-on choice of the oddsmakers along with a total of a flat 2.5.
KEY INJURIES
The Fire have a legitimate hope that David Accam can return from his hamstring injury for this match. Chris Ritter and Mike Magee are probably both out for this one and the foreseeable future, but if Chicago can get Accam, its most innovative scorer, back on the pitch, good things could happen.
Gilberto, who made his Fire debut on Wednesday night in the US Open Cup, was taken off with a thigh injury on 21 minutes. He is questionable for this match.
Matt Watson is also out for Chicago due to suspension.
The Union are close to getting back Vincent Nogueira and Maurice Edu from injuries. Andrew Wenger is still dealing with a concussion, while keeper Brian Sylvestre has a laceration on his hand and is questionable.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Tonight, from five minutes of the opening whistle, we couldn't string two passes together. We defended well. I thought we were slow on a lot of stuff and didn't create anything. If you have that type of performance, you don't get much out of it." – Fire head coach Frank Yallop on a disappointing 1-0 loss in the US Open Cup match here in Philly which was lost on Wednesday
RECENT FORM
The loss in the US Open Cup hasn't been Chicago's only problem of late. The team does have a 2-0 upset of FC Dallas to its ledger of late from August 2, but that was the club's only win since beating Seattle on July 11.
The Fire have been all over the place. There have been matches when Accam has been all over the pitch and the team has scored multiple times, only to concede tons of goals, and there have been duels like the one against Portland in which the defending hasn't been bad, but the offense has been nowhere to be seen.
Philadelphia's MLS winless run sits at four games, but at least a three-match losing streak stopped at Orlando City last week in a scoreless draw.
The Union have had a big problem allowing goals, conceding eight times in three matches from July 18 through August 1.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Fire are going to get there eventually when they can put Accam and Gilberto on the pitch together for 90 good minutes. This is a team capable of finally getting a win on the road eventually, and this might be their lucky day.
Yallop has to be incredibly frustrated with his side after the US Open Cup match right here a few days earlier, but with Nogueira out, stopping Sebastien Le Toux might be enough for the men from the Windy City to finally get that elusive road victory.
Chicago 1, Philadelphia 0
The MLS lines for this contest were first released by BookMaker Sportsbook with the Philadelphia Union lined as -107 moneyline favorites and a total of 2.5. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, spreads and totals. Live betting is open during every step of this match!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The fixture between Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire is scheduled for Sunday, August 16, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. ET at PPL Park in Chester, PA. The match will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.
