MLS Odds: Top-table Chicago Face Portland

Portland Timbers (+118) vs. Chicago Fire (+240), Draw (+275)

After demolishing the Whitecaps 4-0 on Sunday, the Chicago Fire (11-4-3, 37 points) will remain in the west for this Wednesday’s (July 5th) match against the Portland Timbers (7-5-7, 26 points).  Don’t forget to check out our expert’s review of the best sports betting sites if you want to make a wager on this one. 

Chicago leaped to the top of the standings after Toronto slipped up against Dallas on Saturday (3-1), allowing the Fire to reach the top of the league for the first time in 12 years. It’s a dramatic shift for a club that finished dead last in both 2015 and ‘16.

The credit has to go to General Manager Nelson Rodriguez, who was the centerpiece of the Fire overhaul this year. They had a shaky start to the season, but after finding their footing, they became one of the most dominant clubs in the league. They’re currently unbeaten in their last 11 MLS games.

The new Chicago side is unrecognizable from the Fire of previous years. The most notable signing was Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has found his place at the MLS. The fast-paced English Premier League was a little too much for the aging midfielder, but the MLS gives him a chance to put his intelligence and playmaking ability to full use.

However, Chicago’s most important signing for this season was Nemanja Nikolić, who was poached from Legia Warsaw for a neat $3 million. Alongside David Accam, they form one of the best front twos in the league.

The Portland Timbers are currently third in the West, but are winless in their last four matches. That streak includes losses to bottom-table teams like Colorado and Minnesota. Considering they’ve only won two of their last 11 MLS games, it’s impressive they’ve managed to hold on to third place.

If we only consider home games, Portland starts to look a lot better. They’ve only lost one of their last 14 home matches. There’s just something about Providence Park that makes the Timbers tough to beat. 

I still have to side with Chicago in this one, though. They’ve won eight of their last nine games and have all the momentum on their side. The new and improved Chicago Fire is capable of beating any MLS team, both at home and away.

Pick: Chicago Fire (+240)