Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew Prediction and Betting Tips
MLS · Saturday 7 November 2026 · 21:00 UTC · Soldier Field, Chicago · updated 2026-10-25
Chicago Fire welcome Columbus Crew to Soldier Field in Chicago in MLS action on Saturday 7 November 2026, kick-off 21:00 UTC.
Chicago Fire have played 31 matches in MLS this season, scoring 1.8 and conceding 1.5 goals a game and winning 48% of them. At home they average 1.9 goals scored and 1.3 conceded over 15 matches, with a 60% win rate. Columbus Crew have played 31 matches in MLS this season, scoring 1.6 and conceding 1.6 goals a game and winning 35% of them. Away from home they average 1.6 goals scored and 2.0 conceded over 15 matches, with a 27% win rate.
On Moneyball's model, from this season's numbers, Chicago Fire are narrow favourites at 48%, with the draw at 24% and Columbus Crew at 27%.
Moneyball's estimate
- Expected goals: Chicago Fire 1.80, Columbus Crew 1.31.
- Over 2.5 goals: 60% · both teams to score: 62%.
- Most likely score: 2–1 (9%).
From each side's goals and expected goals this season (Sportmonks), pulled toward the league average while a side has played few matches (31 and 31 so far), through a Dixon-Coles score model. No bookmaker prices are in it; once the odds are out, the full model in the app reads them too.
Chicago Fire: form and key numbers
In style Chicago Fire create plenty of chances.
- Expected goals: 1.80 a match created, 1.48 conceded (goals minus xG: -0.8).
- Shots: 14.2 a match, 5.2 on target.
- Possession: 51.7% on average.
- Clean sheets: 23% of matches (57% at home).
- Both teams scored in 71% of their matches.
- Corners: 4.5 a match.
- Discipline: 2.3 yellow cards a match, 3.0 reds.
- Average Sportmonks player rating: 6.85.
Columbus Crew: form and key numbers
In style Columbus Crew keep the ball.
- Expected goals: 1.49 a match created, 1.40 conceded (goals minus xG: +3.7).
- Shots: 12.7 a match, 4.6 on target.
- Possession: 55.0% on average.
- Clean sheets: 19% of matches (33% away).
- Both teams scored in 71% of their matches.
- Corners: 5.3 a match.
- Discipline: 1.8 yellow cards a match, 1.0 reds.
- Average Sportmonks player rating: 6.83.
Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew: season averages side by side
| Chicago Fire | Per match this season | Columbus Crew |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Matches | 31 |
| 1.8 | Goals scored | 1.6 |
| 1.5 | Goals conceded | 1.6 |
| 1.80 | Expected goals (xG) | 1.49 |
| 1.48 | xG conceded | 1.40 |
| 14.2 | Shots | 12.7 |
| 5.2 | On target | 4.6 |
| 51.7 | Possession % | 55.0 |
| 23% | Clean sheets % | 19% |
| 71% | Both teams scored % | 71% |
| 4.5 | Corners | 5.3 |
| 2.3 | Yellow cards | 1.8 |
| 6.85 | Average rating | 6.83 |
Players to watch
Chicago Fire
- Hugo Cuypers CF · Poacher · Moneyball Score 55 · Takes high-quality shots, Gets into scoring positions (top 2% of his position)
- Sergio Oregel DMF · Deep-lying playmaker · Moneyball Score 35 · Secure passer, Hard to dribble past (top 23% of his position)
Columbus Crew
- Dylan Chambost CMF · Playmaker · Moneyball Score 50 · Long passer, Secure passer (top 6% of his position)
- Santiago Rodríguez AMF · Dribbling playmaker · Moneyball Score 36 · Draws fouls, Gets into scoring positions (top 6% of his position)
Scouting spotlight: Philip Zinckernagel
Philip Zinckernagel, 31 · Chicago Fire · RWF · Creative winger · Moneyball Score 54
Philip Zinckernagel, 31, plays as a winger for Chicago Fire in the MLS. Strongest for his role in accurate crosses and expected goals. Weakest in dispossessed. Moneyball Scout, the engine behind our Scouting Players Research, rates him against every winger in Europe's top five leagues - and this is what he does better than almost all of them.
Percentile against his position on each figure: 50 is the average winger, 90 the top tenth.
Positions he can play
- RW · Winger Natural, 54
- RM · Wide midfielder Accomplished, 50
Where he is strongest
| Figure | His number | Better than |
|---|---|---|
| Accurate crosses | 1.89 / 90 | 97% |
| Expected goals | 0.42 / 90 | 83% |
| Big chances created | 0.53 / 90 | 77% |
| Expected assists (est.) | 0.31 / 90 | 75% |
| Shots | 3.52 / 90 | 73% |
Roles he suits
- ★★★★½ Wide playmaker Wide midfielder
- ★★★½ Creative winger Winger
- ★★★½ Direct wide midfielder Wide midfielder
Scout's notes: Crosser, Gets into scoring positions.
- What Philip Zinckernagel is worth on the market, and the most a club should pay
- How many league points he would add to your club (Win-Rate Impact)
- The players who play like him, cheaper - the Replacement Finder
- His chemistry with your squad, his fit with your style, his projection by age
Open Philip Zinckernagel's full file Moneyball Scout from $39 a month
Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew prediction
Columbus Crew should have more of the ball. Moneyball's model expects about 3.1 goals - 1.80 for Chicago Fire and 1.31 for Columbus Crew - with over 2.5 goals at 60% and both teams scoring at 62%. Chicago Fire have the stronger numbers, and we expect them to make home advantage count.
Prediction: Chicago Fire 2-1 Columbus Crew
Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew betting tips
- Tip 1: Chicago Fire win or draw (double chance) 73% between them
- Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals 60% by the model, 3.11 goals expected
- Tip 3: Both teams to score: yes 62% by the model
- Tip 4: Over 3.5 cards the two sides average 8.2 cards a match between them
- Tip 5: Over 8.5 corners 9.8 corners a match between them
Statistical leanings from the data, not certainties. 18+ only, where betting is legal; never stake more than you can afford to lose.
The full analysis
Moneyball Odds prices every line of the match once bookmakers do: win, draw and loss, Asian handicaps and goals lines, with fair odds and the expected value of each.
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- Dallas vs Columbus Crew Thursday 29 October 2026
Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew: questions and answers
When is Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew?
Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew is on Saturday 7 November 2026, kick-off 21:00 UTC, in MLS.
Where is Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew played?
At Soldier Field, Chicago, Chicago Fire's home ground.
Who will win Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew?
Chicago Fire are the favourites: Chicago Fire 48%, draw 24%, Columbus Crew 27%. Our prediction is Chicago Fire 2-1 Columbus Crew.
Who is the player to watch in Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew?
Philip Zinckernagel of Chicago Fire: a creative winger with a Moneyball Score of 54 against every winger in Europe's top five leagues.
How many goals will there be in Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew?
Moneyball's model expects about 3.1 goals, with over 2.5 goals at 60%.
Tags
Moneyball Odds is a statistical analysis site, not a bookmaker. No model predicts football reliably. For readers aged 18 and over, where betting is legal.