New York Red Bulls host Chicago Fire at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday, August 22 (7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT).
New York Red Bulls will lean on their most productive attackers here, with Julian Hall’s nine goals leading the way and Jorge Ruvalcaba’s seven not far behind. Emil Forsberg, who has created thirty chances from central midfield, and Cade Cowell should also be central figures for the hosts. Chicago Fire will turn to Philip Zinckernagel, who tops the visitors with five goals and forty chances created, plus Robin Lod’s four goals and Robert Lewandowski’s two in a smaller sample of minutes since arriving.
Expect a tight, competitive contest at Sports Illustrated Stadium. New York Red Bulls, eighth in the East, have gone W L L W L across their past five and need the points to stay in the playoff conversation, while Chicago Fire arrive third in the East off a W L L W W stretch that has them well placed in the picture. With Hall finding the net for the hosts and Zinckernagel or Lod likely to reply for Chicago, this should finish 2-1 to the Red Bulls.
New York Red Bulls vs Chicago Fire: Best Bets & Predictions
New York Red Bulls host Chicago Fire at Sports Illustrated Stadium as the Fire push for the playoffs and the Red Bulls look to rediscover their scoring touch.
Our approach: we weigh conference standings, recent form and underlying attacking numbers — shots, shots on target and chances created — to land on a scoreline, then back it up with the individual stats behind our Match-Winners and Anytime Goalscorer picks.
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
New York Red Bulls sit eighth in the East, while Chicago Fire are third in the East on thirty-two points, firmly in the playoff picture.
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Fire | 3 | 18 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 34 | 24 | +10 | 32 |
New York Red Bulls vs Chicago Fire Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
New York Red Bulls
4-3-3Chicago Fire
4-2-3-1Potential Match-Winners
- Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls): Nine goals from thirty-seven shots this season, with twenty of those efforts on target, make Hall the most direct scoring threat on the pitch this weekend.
- Jorge Ruvalcaba (New York Red Bulls): Seven goals and eighteen chances created make Ruvalcaba a persistent threat alongside Hall in the Red Bulls attack.
- Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire): Five goals and a team-high forty chances created make Zinckernagel the focal point of Chicago Fire’s attack.
Recent Form
New York Red Bulls: W L L W L
- 2026-08-16: Atlanta United 2-1 New York Red Bulls (L, away)
- 2026-08-02: New York Red Bulls 3-2 Orlando City (W, home)
- 2026-07-25: New York Red Bulls 0-2 Charlotte FC (L, home)
- 2026-07-23: Philadelphia Union 3-1 New York Red Bulls (L, away)
- 2026-05-24: Sporting KC 1-2 New York Red Bulls (W, away)
New York Red Bulls have gone W L L W L across their last five matches. They were most recently beaten 2-1 away to Atlanta United on August 16.
Chicago Fire: W L L W W
- 2026-08-16: Chicago Fire 2-1 Portland Timbers (W, home)
- 2026-08-02: Chicago Fire 2-1 Charlotte FC (W, home)
- 2026-07-26: NYCFC 3-1 Chicago Fire (L, away)
- 2026-07-23: Inter Miami 3-2 Chicago Fire (L, away)
- 2026-05-24: Chicago Fire 2-1 Toronto FC (W, home)
Chicago Fire’s form reads W L L W W across their last five matches. They backed up a 2-1 win over Charlotte FC with another 2-1 victory over Portland Timbers on August 16.
New York Red Bulls vs Chicago Fire Prediction
New York Red Bulls sit eighth in the East and need results like this to keep their playoff hopes alive, while Chicago Fire arrive third in the East looking to maintain their push toward the postseason. Julian Hall’s scoring form and home advantage should be enough to see off a Chicago side that continues to find goals of its own. Expect goals at both ends, with the Red Bulls doing just enough to edge it 2-1.