Minnesota United vs Chicago Fire
United States – MLS
Date: Saturday, 17 March 2018
Kick-Off at 18:00 UK
Venue: TCF Bank Stadium (Minneapolis).
Chicago Fire have been part of a shocking seven-goal thriller in their season opener last weekend when they dramatically fell 3-4 at home to Sporting KC. Men in Red have shown a great spirit turning a two-goal deficit into lead late in the second-half, but they’ve managed to ruin all the good work by whipping two quick goals to lose the match at the end.
Veljko Paunovic and his men will thus be looking to grab their first points of the new campaign on Saturday evening when they travel to Minneapolis to tackle last year’s debutants Minnesota United. The Loons have managed to clinch their first win of the campaign seven days ago when they shocked Orlando City 1-2 on the road to bounce back from the initial 3-2 loss away at SJ Earthquakes.
Midfielders Kevin Molino (seven goals in the previous campaign) and Ethan Finley have been the standout performers for the team led by Adrian Heath so far. Both of them have bagged two goals in two games and they will no doubts have room to create in the final third past the struggling defense of Chicago’s.
Paunovic’s men may have revealed plenty of holes at the back, but they’ve confirmed a fantastic attacking potential. League’s top scorer in the previous term Nemanja Nikolic has opened the new campaign in a phenomenal fashion netting a brace in the loss to Kansas City. Stopping the Hungarian striker will be the key to success for Heath and his men here.
Minnesota United vs Chicago Fire: Head-to-head
This will only be the second head to head encounter between the two teams.
Minnesota have shocked Chicago Fire when the sides met in late-July last year at Toyota Park (1-2).
Minnesota United vs Chicago Fire: Prediction
Chicago have shown plenty of defensive holes in the first game of the season and we see a fantastic opportunity for Minnesota to take advantage of the momentum after the victory over Orlando City last weekend.
The value is massive in backing Ethan Finlay (a brace in the clash with Orlando) to score anytime at the sky-high 4.50 odds.
Minnesota United vs Chicago Fire: Bet Tips
Minnesota United to win & BTTS @ 4.33
Ethan Finlay to score anytime @ 4.50
