Sunday MLS Odds, Picks, Prediction: Chicago vs. New York Red Bulls Betting Preview (August 8)
Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images. Pictured: Caden Clark.
- Chicago and New York kick off Major Legaue Soccer action Sunday with a meeting at Soldier Field.
- Both clubs are winless in their last five matches, putting them on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
- Ian Quillen breaks things down below and explains which team he thinks can finally get back to its winning ways.
Chicago vs. RBNY Odds
| Chicago Odds | +138 |
| RBNY Odds | +185 |
| Draw | +245 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (-155 / +112) |
| Day | Time | Sunday | 6 p.m. ET |
| How To Watch | ESPN+ |
| Odds updated Saturday night via DraftKings. | |
Both Chicago and the New York Red Bulls should be desperate for a victory when they meet Sunday at Soldier Field.
The Fire and Red Bulls are winless in their last five matches, with both teams on the outside and looking in at the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Chicago started the weekend second from bottom in the East, but on the heels of a scoreless draw against fifth-place New York City FC.
New York is sitting in ninth following its own scoreless draw at home against 10th-place FC Cincinnati.
In their most recent meeting, Née York earned a 2-0 home victory over Chicago in early May.
Chicago Adjusting Without Frankowski
The Fire had won consecutive matches for the first time season. Then, manager Raphael Wicky took a three-game leave of absence due to a family health emergency.
And while Chicago didn't win either of the two games since his return, they gave improved performances in draws against Philadelphia and NYCFC.
If that counts as momentum, the question is if it carries over since the news of midfielder Przemyslaw Frankowski's transfer to Ligue 1 side RC Lens.
Frankowski was one of only two Fire players with multiple goals and assists (two each) this season. His 6.9 expected goals, plus expected assists, were second most on the team behind striker Robert Beric.
The only complaint Chicago could have in regard to his 2 1/2 years in Major League Soccet is that he underperformed his xG in all three seasons.
Goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth remains questionable with a knee injury after he missed Wednesday's draw against NYCFC. Centerback Wyatt Omsberg returns after serving a one-match, red-card suspension Wednesday.
New York Winless in Last Five Outings
This young Red Bulls side might be winless in their last five matches, but they've only been two goals worse than their opponents over that stretch in three draws and two defeats.
After narrow losses away to D.C. United and home to Supporters' Shield leaders New England, New York's most frustrating results might have been its last.
Despite a near monopoly on chances Wednesday, the Red Bulls were forced to settle for a 0-0 home draw against Cincinnati.
Manager Gerhard Struber's men still have only five points from eight away trips, but they've played among the toughest MLS road itineraries to date.
Seven of those eight matches have come against sides currently above the playoff line in their respective conferences.
Daniel Royer has been upgraded to questionable with a thigh injury. He has a goal and three assists in six appearances against the Fire, though he'd likely be limited to substitute duty after not playing since late May.
Betting Analysis & Pick
Not only have the Red Bulls' away struggles come against the better teams in MLS, they're also mostly confined to the early portion of the season.
With the improvement of Fabio, plus the additions of Frankie Amaya and Patryk Kilmala, New York is deeper — particularly in its attack — than when it lost its first four on the road.
That's especially important in these stretches. And it's a clear edge against a Chicago squad that has lacked depth and will be one option shorter with Frankowski's departure.
Argentine Federico Navarro will eventually give Wicky another choice in midfield, but he probably won't be available after the Fire announced his signing on the final day of this week’s secondary transfer window.
The three-way line reflects these teams' respective places in the standings. Chicago is slightly favored due to home field, but not as heavily as it would be in MLS against an even foe.
And given the circumstance mentioned above, I think the scales should be tilted further in the Red Bulls' direction to where each team's odds to win are nearly even.
I expect this to be close, so I'm forgoing the moneyline for a draw no bet wager on New York at +112 odds. That implies a 47.2% probability the Red Bulls win this game if it's not a draw.
If it’s a draw, your bet is void and money is returned.
Pick: Red Bulls — Draw No Bet (+112)
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