Chicago Fire vs Portland Timbers — Tips & Analysis

Chicago Fire -1: Portland's away season has fallen apart. They have 2 wins in 10 on the road and they let in more than 2 goals a game in those games. Now they travel two time zones east on two days of rest. Chicago are flying. They have won 12 of their last 20, and their last four in a row. That run includes a 2-1 at Cruz Azul and a 3-1 at home to Santos Laguna. At Soldier Field they score almost 2 goals a game and let in just over one. Portland can be beaten by a distance. They have lost by 2 or more in 7 of their last 20 games and they let in almost 2 goals a game. They are also without Aravena and Mosquera, and goalkeeper Pantemis is a doubt. Both teams played two days ago, so legs will be heavy and the game should open up. Our read is a 2-1 Chicago win, and that does not quite get this home. We want Chicago to win by 2, and a tired Portland back line is how that happens. The honest catch is that Chicago have won by 2 or more in only 5 of their last 20 games. Three of the four straight wins came against Mexican clubs in a cup, with only the 2-1 over Charlotte coming in the league. We are still with Chicago to win this clearly.