New York Red Bulls vs Chicago Fire: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Lineups

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 have no fresh injury or suspension concerns from the available team news, with Julian Hall (nine goals, 20 shots on target) and Jorge Ruvalcaba (seven goals, 18 chances created) the two most important attacking outlets. Emil Forsberg’s 30 chances created is the highest figure in this preview, underlining his creative influence behind the front two. Chicago Fire are similarly clear of absentees and will build around Philip Zinckernagel, who leads all players here with 40 chances created to go with 5 goals, plus Robin Lod, who has 4 goals of his own this season.

New York sit eighth in the Eastern Conference, still pushing to climb into the playoff picture, and they head into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Atlanta. Chicago, by contrast, are third in the East on 32 points with a +10 goal difference, arriving full of confidence after back-to-back home wins over Portland and Charlotte. That form and standings gap makes this a tougher assignment than a home fixture usually promises, but with Hall, Ruvalcaba and Forsberg all firing at the top end, this has the look of a game that produces goals at both ends before New York edges it late.

US viewers can watch New York Red Bulls vs Chicago Fire on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.

New York Red Bulls vs Chicago Fire: Best Bets & Predictions

Chicago arrive third in the East and full of form, but New York Red Bulls' attacking talent gives Signal's model a 2-1 home prediction.

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New York Red BullsTop pickNew York Red Bulls' attacking pair of Julian Hall (9 goals) and Jorge Ruvalcaba (7 goals) give the hosts enough of an edge at home to overcome a Chicago side sitting third in the East.

42%win prob.opening soon @ bet365

2-1 New York Red BullsA tight scoreline fits two sides who both create chances freely, with Emil Forsberg (30 chances created) and Philip Zinckernagel (40 chances created) pulling the strings, and New York doing just enough to land the extra goal.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐chanceopening soon @ bet365

YesBoth sides carry proven scoring options, from Hall and Ruvalcaba for the hosts to Zinckernagel (5 goals) and Robin Lod (4 goals) for Chicago, making goals at both ends the likely outcome.

65%chanceopening soon @ bet365

Over 2.5With Chicago carrying a +10 goal difference and New York's Julian Hall already recording 20 shots on target this season, this fixture has the attacking quality to clear 2.5 goals.

64%chanceopening soon @ bet365

Julian Hall to score anytimeJulian Hall leads all players in this preview with 9 goals from 37 shots, making him the standout pick to get on the scoresheet again.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐chanceopening soon @ bet365

Our approach: Signal weighs underlying output, chance creation and current standings to land on this weekend's projected scoreline, and here that points to a 2-1 New York Red Bulls win with goals at both ends.

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Season Form & Standings

New York Red Bulls sit eighth in the Eastern Conference, still working their way into the playoff picture, while Chicago Fire are third in the East on 32 points with a +10 goal difference and firmly in playoff position.

Eastern Conference

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Potential Match-Winners

• Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls): 9 goals from 37 shots and 20 shots on target make him the most clinical forward in this preview.
• Jorge Ruvalcaba (New York Red Bulls): 7 goals and 18 chances created show a forward contributing at both ends of the final third.
• Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire): 5 goals and a competition-high 40 chances created make him the creative heartbeat of this Chicago side.

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’s last five have read a 2-1 loss at Atlanta, a 3-2 win over Orlando City, a 0-2 home loss to Charlotte, a 3-1 defeat at Philadelphia and a 2-1 win at Sporting KC.

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 have been sharper across the same window: a 2-1 home win over Portland, a 2-1 win over Charlotte, a 3-1 loss at NYCFC, a 3-2 defeat to Inter Miami and a 2-1 win over Toronto.

New York Red Bulls vs Chicago Fire Prediction

Signal’s model lands on a 2-1 New York Red Bulls win. Chicago’s third-place standing and +10 goal difference make them the stronger side on paper, but New York’s home scoring depth through Hall and Ruvalcaba is enough to nose it, in a game expected to produce goals at both ends.