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The key duel: Chicago Fire's attack against Portland Timbers's back line.
Chicago Fire take on Portland Timbers in the MLS. Let's break down what our data says about this one.
The lead strikers on both sides carry the narrative here. Chicago Fire will lean on whoever's hot in front of goal, while Portland Timbers travel with the same brief: find a way past a back four that's been organised more often than not this season.
Our PickBoth teams to score at @1.40. Model probability 69% vs implied 71%. priced at fair value, so take it for stability rather than edge.
Priced off the bookmakers and our model. Our verified record so far is on our core leagues — see /accuracy.
Both sets of fans can dream here: this is two in-form sides on a collision course. Chicago Fire come in on a W-L-L-W-W run, Portland Timbers have gone W-W-D-W-L, and neither will fear the other. When form meets form like this, something has to give, and whichever way it breaks, it should be a proper occasion. Chicago Fire's home form is particularly impressive right now. They're performing above their season average on their own turf. One thing to keep in mind about Chicago Fire. They're scoring 2.0 goals per game but the quality of chances they create only works out at 1.8. Scoring that much more than the chances suggest (+0.5), that kind of hot finishing usually cools off, so their results may be flattering their actual play.
xG explained: Expected Goals measures chance quality. 1.5 xG = a side typically converts those chances into 1.5 goals. Outscoring xG = running hot, possible regression risk.
Chicago Fire create chances worth 1.8 a game (and give up chances worth 1.3), leaving them +0.5 a game on the balance. Portland Timbers create 1.2 (giving up 2.0) for a balance of -0.8. The underlying numbers clearly favour Chicago Fire. They're creating better chances AND giving up fewer good ones. Chicago Fire are scoring 2.0 goals a game off chances worth just 1.8. That's +0.5 more than the chances suggest: finishing hot. History says this kind of run usually cools off.
Goals are a tough one to call here. Chicago Fire are scoring 2.0 a game (1.5 of those at home) and Portland Timbers manage 1.3 (0.9 on the road). Add it up and it's basically a coin-flip whether we see three or more, we make it 70%, so there's no strong lean either way on the goals line. There's a good chance both teams find the net, and we make it 69%. Chicago Fire score in 84% of their games and Portland Timbers in 68%, and neither back line is tight enough to bank on a clean sheet.
Chicago Fire are all-out attack: 2.0 goals a game, but they leak 1.8 at the other end. They'll throw plenty at Portland Timbers, but there are gaps at the back for the visitors to get at.
The complete price grid across all bookmakers.
| Market | Selection | Odds | Probability | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match Result | Chicago Fire Win | @1.60 | 54.7% | William Hill |
| Match Result | Draw | @4.50 | 20.7% | William Hill |
| Match Result | Portland Timbers Win | @4.20 | 22.8% | William Hill |
| BTTS | Yes | @1.40 | 69.1% | William Hill |
| BTTS | No | @2.70 | 30.9% | William Hill |
| Goals | Over 2.5 | @1.36 | 70.2% | Bet365 |
| Goals | Under 2.5 | @3.10 | 29.8% | Bet365 |
| Goals | Over 1.5 | @1.10 | - | Bet365 |
| Goals | Under 1.5 | @7.00 | - | Bet365 |
| Goals | Over 3.5 | @1.83 | - | Bet365 |
| Goals | Under 3.5 | @1.93 | - | Bet365 |
Our model makes Chicago Fire the favourite with a 54.7% win probability, priced off the bookmakers and our model. Our verified record so far is on our core leagues.
Best available odds: Chicago Fire @ 1.60, Draw @ 4.50, Portland Timbers @ 4.20. We compare multiple bookmakers to find the best value.
Chicago Fire vs Portland Timbers kicks off on Sunday 16 August 2026 at 23:00 in the MLS.