Toronto FC host Chicago Fire at BMO Field on Saturday, September 5 (7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT).
There’s no fresh fitness concern on either team sheet, so the shape of this one comes down to the players already carrying the biggest workloads. For Toronto FC, Dániel Sallói remains the focal point of the attack with 6 goals, 21 shots on target and 22 chances created in 1,830 minutes, with Josh Sargent adding 4 goals in 1,109 minutes. Chicago Fire’s front line features Philip Zinckernagel, who has 5 goals and a team-high 43 chances created, alongside Maren Haile-Selassie (5 goals) and Robert Lewandowski, who has scored 4 goals in just 455 minutes.
Toronto FC vs Chicago Fire: Best Bets & Predictions
Chicago Fire look to tighten their grip on a playoff spot at BMO Field, with Toronto FC searching for more consistency in a stop-start campaign.
Our approach: Squawka's Signal model weighs current form, underlying shot and chance-creation numbers, and league position to project a scoreline, then builds match-winner and goalscorer calls from the players actually producing those numbers.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).
Season Form & Standings
Chicago Fire arrive third in the Eastern Conference on 37 points from 21 games, while Toronto FC sit 10th on 25 points from 22 games — a gap that leaves the Fire firmly in the playoff picture and Toronto FC needing to find more consistency.
Eastern Conference
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Fire | 3 | 21 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 39 | 28 | +11 | 37 |
| Toronto FC | 10 | 22 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 32 | 38 | -6 | 25 |
Toronto FC vs Chicago Fire Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
Toronto FC
4-2-3-1Chicago Fire
4-3-3Potential Match-Winners
- Dániel Sallói (Toronto FC): 6 goals, 21 shots on target and 22 chances created make Sallói by far Toronto FC’s most productive attacker this season.
- Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire): 5 goals and a team-high 43 chances created underline Zinckernagel’s central role in Chicago Fire’s attack.
- Robert Lewandowski (Chicago Fire): Robert Lewandowski has 4 goals in just 455 minutes, the most efficient scoring return of anyone in this preview.
Recent Form
Toronto FC: D W D W D
- 2026-08-30: Toronto FC 1-1 NYCFC (D, home)
- 2026-08-23: Inter Miami 1-2 Toronto FC (W, away)
- 2026-08-20: Toronto FC 3-3 Charlotte FC (D, home)
- 2026-08-16: Toronto FC 2-1 New England Revolution (W, home)
- 2026-08-01: NYCFC 1-1 Toronto FC (D, away)
Toronto FC have alternated results across their last 5 outings — a 1-1 draw away at NYCFC, a 2-1 home win over New England Revolution, a 3-3 draw at home to Charlotte FC, a 2-1 win at Inter Miami, and, most recently, a 1-1 draw with NYCFC at BMO Field on August 30.
Chicago Fire: W W W D D
- 2026-08-29: Seattle Sounders 2-2 Chicago Fire (D, away)
- 2026-08-23: New York Red Bulls 1-1 Chicago Fire (D, away)
- 2026-08-20: Orlando City 1-2 Chicago Fire (W, away)
- 2026-08-16: Chicago Fire 2-1 Portland Timbers (W, home)
- 2026-08-02: Chicago Fire 2-1 Charlotte FC (W, home)
Chicago Fire strung together 3 straight wins — 2-1 over Charlotte FC, 2-1 over Portland Timbers, and 2-1 away at Orlando City — before drawing their last 2, 1-1 at New York Red Bulls and 2-2 at Seattle Sounders on August 29.
Toronto FC vs Chicago Fire Prediction
Chicago Fire, third in the Eastern Conference on 37 points, look the stronger side heading into BMO Field, and with Toronto FC sitting 10th on 25 points and carrying a -6 goal difference, we expect the visitors to edge a game that produces goals at both ends. Our call is a 1-2 win for Chicago Fire, with Toronto FC getting on the scoresheet but not doing enough to stop Philip Zinckernagel and company completing the job.