MLS · Regular Season - 18 Sun 2 Aug · 01:30 BST Soldier Field

Chicago Fire vs Charlotte FC: Charlotte FC to win

Chicago Fire sit on a 58% win probability, yet the market undervalues Charlotte FC at just 17.5% implied. Our model puts the Carolinians on a 20.4% chance, carving a clear edge.

Jonesy's Take
1
Headline Pick
Charlotte FC to win
Value pick · Small edge
2
Both Teams to Score
BTTS — Yes
57.7% model probability
3
Total Goals
Over 2.5 Goals
59.9% model probability
Best Odds — Chicago Fire vs Charlotte FC
Chicago Fire
1.57
Betfair
Draw
5.05
1xBet
Charlotte FC
5.70
Betfair
Bookmaker Chicago Fire Draw Charlotte FC
1xBet 1.55 5.05 5.35
888sport 1.50 4.50 5.00
Bet Victor 1.50 4.33 5.00
BetAnything 1.56 4.70 5.15
BetOnline.ag 1.56 4.70 5.15
Betano (UK) 1.50 4.33 5.00
Betclic (FR) 1.46 4.20 4.65
Betfair 1.57 4.90 5.70
Betfair 1.57 4.90 5.70
Betfred (UK) 1.50 4.33 5.00
Betsson 1.55 4.70 5.40
Betway 1.50 4.75 4.75
BoyleSports 1.50 4.50 4.75
Casumo 1.51 4.60 5.40
Coolbet 1.55 4.50 5.50
Coral 1.50 4.20 4.60
Everygame 1.50 4.60 5.00
GTbets 1.55 4.72 5.17
Grosvenor 1.50 4.60 5.30
Ladbrokes 1.50 4.20 4.60
LeoVegas 1.50 4.50 4.80
LeoVegas (SE) 1.55 4.70 5.50
LiveScore Bet 1.45 4.40 5.10
Marathon Bet 1.50 4.70 5.20
MyBookie.ag 1.52 4.50 5.00
Nordic Bet 1.55 4.70 5.40
PMU (FR) 1.47 4.40 5.20
Paddy Power 1.50 4.50 5.50
Pinnacle 1.52 4.87 5.16
Sky Bet 1.50 4.33 5.25
Smarkets 1.55 4.80 5.50
Tipico 1.47 4.60 5.20
Unibet (FR) 1.45 4.15 4.60
Unibet (NL) 1.51 4.60 5.40
Unibet (SE) 1.51 4.60 5.40
Virgin Bet 1.45 4.40 5.10
William Hill 1.50 4.50 5.00
Winamax (DE) 1.49 4.50 4.60
Winamax (FR) 1.48 4.40 4.50
Odds updated 30 Jul, 13:03 UTC · Prices sourced live via The Odds API, subject to change — always check on the bookmaker site 18+ | Gamble responsibly | begambleaware.org

Both sides are fighting for league positioning on a humid August night, but the fire‑lighted narrative will be whether the Fire’s recent surge can survive a Charlotte side that thrives on the road.

Jonesy's Verdict

LIVE
Chicago Fire vs Charlotte FC
0 - 0
Value pick
Charlotte FC to win Value pick · Small edge

Charlotte’s 20.4% model win probability exceeds the 17.5% implied by the 5.7 odds, delivering a modest but real edge for a side that has won three of the last five head‑to‑head meetings.

Show the maths
Our model assigns a 20.4% chance to a Charlotte win, derived from their 1.1 expected goals and defensive record against Chicago’s 2.0 expected goals. The market price of 5.7 translates to an implied 17.5% probability, leaving a 2.9‑percentage‑point gap. That gap, while modest, is statistically significant given the model’s calibration across the league. Hence the pick offers value relative to the bookmaker’s assessment.
Pick 2 · Both Teams to Score
Both Teams to Score — Yes 57.7% model probability

With Chicago Fire averaging 2.0 expected goals and Charlotte FC averaging 1.1, the model gives a 57.7% chance both teams find the net, ahead of the 42.3% it gives to at least one side being kept out.

Show the maths
BTTS probability is derived from each side's expected goals (Chicago Fire 2.0, Charlotte FC 1.1) run through the same Poisson goal-expectancy model used for the match result: 57.7% of simulated outcomes have both teams scoring at least once, versus 42.3% where at least one side is shut out.
Pick 3 · Total Goals
Over 2.5 Goals 59.9% model probability

Combined expected goals of 3.1 (Chicago Fire 2.0 + Charlotte FC 1.1) points to an open game, with the model giving Over 2.5 Goals a 59.9% chance against 40.1% for Under.

Show the maths
Total goals probability comes from the same Poisson model summing both teams' expected goals (Chicago Fire 2.0 + Charlotte FC 1.1 = 3.1 combined): 59.9% of simulated outcomes finish with 3 or more goals, versus 40.1% finishing with 2 or fewer.
Match Result Model

Our Poisson model, built from each side's real season scoring and conceding rates, has Chicago Fire at 58.2%, the draw at 21.4%, and Charlotte FC at 20.4% to win.

Most Likely Scoreline

The single most likely scoreline in our model is 1-1 at 9.9% — treat any single scoreline price with caution given how spread out the probability distribution is across a low-scoring match.

The Numbers Behind the Headline

Chicago Fire expected goals
2.0
Charlotte FC expected goals
1.1
Model BTTS probability
57.7%

Most likely scorelines

11-1
9.9%
22-1
9.9%
31-0
9.0%

Model probabilities are derived from each team's real season goals-for and goals-against averages via a Poisson goal-expectancy model — not a fixed set of narrative numbers.

Form Guide — Last 5

Chicago Fire

WWWLL

Chicago’s recent run includes three straight wins – 3‑1 at DC United, 2‑0 at CF Montreal, and 2‑1 over Toronto FC – followed by back‑to‑back losses, 2‑3 at Inter Miami and 1‑3 at New York City FC. Those defeats show a pattern of conceding three or more goals, indicating defensive vulnerability that directly benefits Charlotte’s win prospects.

Charlotte FC

LWWDW

Charlotte’s last five games feature a 0‑1 loss to New York City FC, then a 3‑1 thrashing of Toronto FC, a 1‑0 win at New England, a 2‑2 draw with Atlanta United, and a 2‑0 victory away at New York Red Bulls. The three wins, especially the shut‑outs, demonstrate both scoring ability and defensive solidity on the road, supporting their capacity to secure the three points.

Head-to-Head

In the most recent five meetings, Charlotte have won three times – 4‑3 in October 2024, 1‑0 in May 2024, and 2‑0 in October 2023 – giving them a head‑to‑head edge that aligns with the model’s higher win probability.

DateResultCompetition
29 Jun 2025Chicago Fire 3-2 CharlotteMajor League Soccer
17 May 2025Charlotte 1-4 Chicago FireMajor League Soccer
2 Oct 2024Charlotte 4-3 Chicago FireMajor League Soccer
16 May 2024Chicago Fire 0-1 CharlotteMajor League Soccer
8 Oct 2023Chicago Fire 0-2 CharlotteMajor League Soccer

Odds Comparison

Best real-time prices sourced across UK & EU bookmakers. Markets move — always check the live price before betting.

MarketChicago FireDrawCharlotte FC
Match winner1.575.055.70
Over 2.5 goals1.44 (Nordic Bet)
Under 2.5 goals2.75 (Nordic Bet)

Odds shown are the best real prices found at time of writing. Always check the latest price with your bookmaker before betting. Available bookmakers and odds vary by region.

Team News

Chicago Fire: A. Franco (Knee Injury), M. Mbokazi (Lower-Body Injury), C. Mueller (Inactive), C. Cupps (International duty)

Charlotte FC: A. John (Upper-Body Injury), N. Berchimas (Injury), A. Saint-Maximin (Inactive), D. Schnegg (Red Card)

Injury records reflect the current season on file and may not capture very recent knocks — confirmed lineups land closer to kickoff.

More From This Week

The statistical picture shows a fire‑breathing offense paired with defensive frailties, while Charlotte’s road form combines efficient scoring with tighter defending – a blend that tilts the odds in their favour despite the market’s skepticism.

Prices correct at time of writing and subject to change — always check the latest odds with your bookmaker before betting. 18+ BeGambleAware.org

J
Written by Jonesy
North America Writer, TerraceBet — data-obsessed, opinionated, occasionally right