Charlotte FC host Chicago Fire at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, September 26 (7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT).
Neither Charlotte FC nor Chicago Fire has anyone to report as unavailable heading into this one, so both sides should be able to name close to full-strength lineups at Bank of America Stadium. Charlotte’s attack still runs through attacking midfielder Pep Biel, who has scored 12 goals and created 46 chances this season, with fellow attacking midfielder Liel Abada adding 5 goals of his own. Chicago will look to attacking midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie and striker Robert Lewandowski, while Philip Zinckernagel’s 52 chances created show how heavily their build-up leans on him.
With Charlotte carrying a plus-10 goal difference against Chicago’s plus-7, and both sides showing they’re happy to attack, this looks set to be an entertaining game rather than a stalemate. Expect goals at both ends, with Charlotte’s extra edge in the final third having the final say.
Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire: Best Bets & Predictions
Charlotte FC's playoff push meets a Chicago Fire side chasing the same ground in the East.
Our approach: we weigh standings context, recent form and top-player output to land on a Result, Correct Score, Both Teams to Score, Over/Under and Anytime Goalscorer pick for every fixture.
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
Charlotte come into this one fourth in the East on 43 points, while Chicago sit fifth on 39 – both firmly in the playoff picture as the regular season enters its final stretch.
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte FC | 4 | 26 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 47 | 37 | +10 | 43 |
| Chicago Fire | 5 | 25 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 45 | 38 | +7 | 39 |
Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
Charlotte FC
4-2-3-1Chicago Fire
4-2-3-1Potential Match-Winners
- Pep Biel (Charlotte FC): The attacking midfielder has scored 12 goals from 56 shots this season, with 22 of those on target and 46 chances created underlining his all-round influence.
- Liel Abada (Charlotte FC): Abada has scored 5 goals and put 21 of his 33 shots on target, showing he doesn’t need many chances to trouble a goalkeeper.
- Robert Lewandowski (Chicago Fire): The striker has scored 6 goals from 26 shots in just 815 minutes, a return that shows why Chicago’s attack still carries a threat.
Recent Form
Charlotte FC: W D W D W
- 2026-09-20: DC United 1-2 Charlotte FC (W, away)
- 2026-09-13: FC Cincinnati 3-3 Charlotte FC (D, away)
- 2026-09-10: CF Montreal 1-2 Charlotte FC (W, away)
- 2026-09-06: Charlotte FC 0-0 Houston Dynamo (D, home)
- 2026-08-30: Atlanta United 0-2 Charlotte FC (W, away)
Charlotte’s last five reads W D W D W: a 2-0 win at Atlanta, a 0-0 draw with Houston at home, a 2-1 win at Montreal, a 3-3 draw at Cincinnati, and a 2-1 win at DC United.
Chicago Fire: D D D L L
- 2026-09-20: Nashville SC 3-0 Chicago Fire (L, away)
- 2026-09-13: Chicago Fire 1-2 New England Revolution (L, home)
- 2026-09-10: Chicago Fire 1-1 Inter Miami (D, home)
- 2026-09-06: Toronto FC 4-4 Chicago Fire (D, away)
- 2026-08-29: Seattle Sounders 2-2 Chicago Fire (D, away)
Chicago’s last five reads D D D L L: a 2-2 draw at Seattle, a 4-4 draw at Toronto, a 1-1 draw at home to Inter Miami, a 1-2 loss at home to New England Revolution, and a 3-0 loss at Nashville.
Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire Prediction
Charlotte head into this in fourth place in the East on 43 points, with Chicago fifth on 39 – both sides firmly in the playoff hunt, but only one will feel truly comfortable after full time. Pep Biel’s 12 goals and Charlotte’s plus-10 goal difference give the hosts the sharper edge in the final third, and we’re backing that quality to tell in a tight, open contest. Expect goals at both ends before Charlotte close it out 2-1.