We've already seen the Chicago Fire and New York City FC face off with one another this year. They opened up their seasons with a cracking 4-3 match played in the Windy City, and they'll return to the Bronx on Sunday for the first of two MLS showdowns on FS1.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
New York City FC -130
Chicago Fire +300
Draw +220
Over/Under 2.5 (over -130)
ODDS ANALYSIS
NYCFC has been a modest surprise this season, and it definitely looks the part of a playoff team early in the campaign. The team hasn't won a game at home yet this year, but those victories will come in due time for sure, especially if the offense keeps up this pace.
City is favored to get three points in front of its home fans for the first time this year, as it's a -130 favorite against a Chicago team which many feel has overachieved thus far with five points in four fixtures.
The total is really quite low when you look at the immediate history of the two sides. NYCFC has averaged 3.5 goals per match this year. Chicago is at 2.5. The two teams played to that firework-filled seven-goal duel in March.
KEY INJURIES
Frank Lampard figures to be back available for City after he gets over his stomach bug which has kept him out for a couple games. It's an odd situation for a vet to be in, but Patrick Vieira is taking no chances with one of his veterans. The Sky Blues also won't have the services of Connor Brandt or Jack Harrison for this game.
Chicago is still playing without the incredibly important David Accam, a man who is one of the best creators on the team offensively.
RECENT FORM
In fairness to Chicago's defense, after allowing four goals in the opener to City, it has only allowed one goal since then in three matches. The Fire have really tightened up at the back, and the only goal they've allowed was at Orlando City, a place which is becoming incredibly tough to play. Chicago won the last time it was on the pitch with a 1-0 victory over the Union.
NYCFC has been disappointing since the explosion against the Fire in the Windy City. The team drew matches at home against Toronto FC and New England, matches which sandwiched a disappointing 1-0 loss at home to Orlando City.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
NYCFC found itself up in the first meeting of these MLS teams 1-0 in the first 10 minutes, and it had three onboard by the interval. Chicago was the far better team in the second half of the match, but it didn't really matter all that much.
The common thread from that game was the willingness of both teams to run up and down the field, and though Chicago has backed off of that and would rather play in a bit of a shell (especially with Accam out), Vieira really wants to see the Sky Blues playing like the Sky Blurs, for all intents and purposes.
David Villa could end up being crucial here for NYCFC, as there isn't anyone on the Fire who can really mark him consistently. He could find the back of the net on Sunday night and finally give the home fans at Yankee Stadium three points to celebrate for the first time this year.
MLS Odds: New York City FC 2, Chicago 0
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