Free MLS Pick Chicago Fire vs. NY Red Bulls
Looking for Chicago Fire vs. NY Red Bulls free picks? MLS betting sees Chicago Fire taking on New York Red Bulls Wednesday, May 18 at Red Bull Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLS soccer matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE MLS predictions.
MLS Handicapping
Chicago Fire vs. NY Red Bulls
Date: Wednesday, May 18
Time: 07:30 PM
Venue: Red Bull Arena
MLS Moneyline Odds: Chicago Fire 550 / Draw 300/ NY Red Bulls -200 (Bet Now!)
MLS Spread Betting Odds: Chicago 0.5 / New York -0.5
MLS Betting Total: O/U 2.5
Heading into this matchup, the Chicago Fire are the 0.5-goal underdogs. Through 11 matches, they have covered this margin six times. As for the New York Red Bulls, they enter the match as -0.5 goal favorites. Through 11 matches, they have won by this margin five times.
Chicago Fire
Heading into the Chicago Fire’s 12th game of the season, the team is below .500 at 2-4-5. This mark places them 14th in the Eastern Conference. In their last match, Chicago fell to FC Cincinnati by a score of 2-1. So far, the Chicago Fire has turned in 6 performances with one goal or less. While on defense, Chicago’s defense has given up at least two goals two times this year.
Through 11 matches, the Chicago Fire have struggled on offense, averaging just 0.73 goals per 90 minutes. This output places them 28th in the MLS. On defense, Chicago is 9th in the MLS, giving up 1.09 goals per 90 minutes.
On offense, Chicago Fire is led by the strong play of Xherdan Shaqiri and Kacper Przybyłko, who have each found the net 2 times. So far, their combined goals account for 50.0% of the team’s overall scoring. Early in the season, goalie Gabriel Slonina is off to a rough start, as he has a save percentage of just 62.5%, placing him 23rd among MLS goalies. This performance has come with opponents taking a total of 32 shots on goal.
NY Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls will host the Chicago Fire, with an above .500 record, at 5-4-2. This mark places them 5th in the Eastern Conference. New York comes into this match after playing to a 1-1 draw against Philadelphia. So far, the New York Red Bulls have turned in 2 performances with one goal or less. On defense, New York has played two games in which they held their opponent to one goal or less.
So far, the New York Red Bulls have been an above-average scoring team, at 1.45 goals per 90 minutes (10th). Defensively, New York is off to a good start, ranking 4th in scoring defense. So far, the team is giving up an average of just 0.82 goals per 90 minutes.
On offense, NY Red Bulls is led by the strong play of Lewis Morgan and Patryk Klimala, who have each found the net 4 times. So far, their combined goals account for 43.75% of the team’s overall scoring. To start the year, the NY Red Bulls have turned to Carlos Coronel as their primary goalie. In his 11 starts, he has a save percentage of 72.4%, 10th best in the MLS. This has come with opponents taking 29 shots on target.
Free Chicago Fire vs. NY Red Bulls MLS Final Analysis:
So far, both the New York Red Bulls and Chicago Fire are generating scoring opportunites at a below-average rate. On the season, New York ranks 17th in attacking area possessions, with Chicago sitting 19th. Although both squads are generating attacking zone possessions at a below-average rate, the New York Red Bulls have been able to counter this with strong defensive play, giving up the 4th fewest attacking possessions, compared to Chicago, which ranks 13rd among MLS units.
In this matchup, look for the Chicago Fire to keep it close, as even though they have struggled with their goalie play, their overall defense does a good job at preventing shots on goal. I recommend taking Chicago +.5.
4* Free MLS Betting Pick Chicago +.5:
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