FC Cincinnati vs Chicago Fire Prediction, Betting Tips, Lineups & Odds | 18 Apr 2026

MLS Betting Preview: FC Cincinnati vs Chicago Fire

FC Cincinnati welcome Chicago Fire to TQL Stadium, with kick-off set for 19:30 on Saturday 18 April.

When Chicago clash against Cincinnati, we will take the former at -147 on the Asian Handicap +0.25. With our stake divided between 0 and +0.5, the visitors look as though they can land a return by swerving defeat.

FC Cincinnati played Toronto FC away in their last game. It was a 1-1 draw at BMO Field. The Orange and Blue had 52% possession and managed four shots on target, with Kenji Mboma Dem being the goalscorer.

Chicago Fire claimed a home win in their previous game. A 1-0 triumph against Atlanta United at Soldier Field made it three consecutive victories. Gregg Berhalter's men were restricted to 45% possession and had three shots on goal, with Maren Haile-Selassie finding the net in the 13rd minute.

Head-to-Head Statistics

Cincinnati have won the last two head-to-heads against Chicago. There was a 2-1 home win at TQL Stadium after triumphing 3-2 away at Soldier Field. In the previous 10 H2H games, there have been six Cincinnati wins, three Chicago victories and a draw.

MLS		G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	GD	P
6	Chicago Fire	7	4	1	2	9	5	4	9:5	13
21	FC Cincinnati	7	2	1	4	10	16	-6	10:16	7

View Full Table

3 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw, averaging 1.2 goals from 4.5 shots on goal and 11.3 attempts. Cincinnati have had 48.0% possession and 5.3 corners per game. On average, they have conceded 2.5 goals from 5.8 shots on goal and 13.3 attempts, while their opponents have been awarded 4.1 corners.

Kevin Denkey and Brenner da Silva lead the way with 2 goals, while Kenji Mboma Dem has 1. Ender Echenique is the top assists maker on 2.

Chicago have won 5, lost 4 and drawn 1, averaging 4.4 shots on goal, 11.5 attempts and 1.6 goals. The Fire average 52.1% possession, 4.5 corners taken and 5.1 corners against them, while 1.5 goals have been conceded from 9.3 attempts and 3.7 shots on goal.

Hugo Cuypers has landed 6 goals, Jonathan Bamba 3, with Maren Haile-Selassie and two others scoring 1. Jonathan Bamba has managed to clock up 3 assists in the last 10 games.

Predicted & Confirmed Lineups

FC Cincinnati predicted lineup (3-4-1-2): Roman Celentano (GK), Matt Miazga, Nick Hagglund, Gilberto Flores, Ender Echenique, Pavel Bucha, Evander, Bryan Ramírez, Samuel Gidi, Ayoub Jabbari, Tom Barlow.

Chicago Fire predicted lineup (4-3-3): Chris Brady (GK), Viktor Radojevic, Jack Elliott, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Andrew Gutman, Anton Saletros, Djé D'Avilla, Robin Lod, Philip Zinckernagel, Maren Haile-Selassie, Jonathan Bamba.

FC Cincinnati vs Chicago Fire Prediction & Betting Tips

Be ready for FC Cincinnati vs Chicago Fire with our in-depth betting tips, featuring a key match prediction, our expected scoreline, best corners advice, player props to watch and a value-focused bet builder.

Match Prediction

Chicago +0.25 at -147 have the look of a value bet on the Asian Handicap. We give them a good chance of landing a victory in this MLS clash and it’s therefore a pick we’ll back with confidence.

The form guide is always considered and it’s great to also use the MLS team news as it filters through ahead of kick-off. In our quest for the best possible football predictions, the latest stats are scrutinised so that we have the best data.

Key FC Cincinnati vs Chicago Fire league stats:

• The +0.25 line has been covered by Chicago in 8 of their last 10 games on the road.
• The +0.25 line has been covered by Chicago in 4 of their last 5 games.
• The +0.25 line has been covered by Chicago in 3 consecutive games.
• The -0.25 line hasn’t been covered by Cincinnati in 4 of their last 5 games.
• The -0.25 line hasn’t been covered by Cincinnati in 7 of their last 10 games.
• The -0.25 line hasn’t been covered by Cincinnati in 2 consecutive games.

According to the latest odds, there’s a 59.5% likelihood of our pick winning. Taking all factors into consideration, our experts think there’s a stronger chance of success and have a probability interval between 65-70%. That means we’re regarding it as a value bet.

In the hunt for tastier odds, you might be interested to know that you can move the line. There’s an increasing amount of juice according to how far you are prepared to go.

Don’t miss your chance to claim the best betting offers, free bets, and bonuses with the help of our smart bonus guide.

Our Match Prediction

Chicago Asian Hcp +0.25 @ -147 Watch Live Bet Now

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Disclosure: This preview contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. T&Cs apply. We only recommend licensed and regulated operators. See our Editorial Policy. Pick odds and lines reflect the price available at the time of publication (Apr 17, 01:58). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Correct Score Prediction

Cincinnati 1 - 2 Chicago

We’re predicting Chicago to land a 2-1 victory and this is available at +650. The correct score betting option provides plenty of fun and entertainment.

Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: Jonathan Bamba to Score +340

Jonathan Bamba (Chicago) has racked up two goals in his past four MLS away matches. We believe this is the best of the player props, with a healthy +340 available when it comes to betting him to score at any time.

Latest Jonathan Bamba Player Prop Odds

Goalscorer

Anytime

+340

First

+1000

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Corners Prediction

Cincinnati To Have Most Corners +102

It’s been an average of 5.30 Cincinnati corners in the past 10 matches, while the last 5 Chicago games have seen them average 3.00. We’re keen to back the +102 that Cincinnati come out on top in this Corner Match bet.

League Games

League Games

Last 10 Total For Against

Last 10 at Home Total For Against

Last 10 Away Total For Against

Cincinnati

Total

9.40 5.30 4.10

Home

9.40 4.60 4.80

Away

9.90 4.30 5.60

Chicago

Total

9.60 4.50 5.10

Home

10.60 5.50 5.10

Away

8.60 3.80 4.80

Latest Corner Odds

Total Corners

Over 9.5

-147

Under 9.5

+102

Cincinnati Corners

Over 4.5

-137

Under 4.5

-104

Chicago Corners

Over 4.5

-137

Under 4.5

-103

Most Corners

1

+102

X

+650

2

-100

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

FC Cincinnati vs Chicago Fire Odds

The odds and lines below are updated regularly and may differ from the prices shown in our picks, which are captured at the time of publication.

You can secure betting odds of +145 when it comes to FC Cincinnati claiming a MLS win and the bookmakers have Chicago Fire on offer at +160. For those wishing to back the draw, it’s available at +265.

You can take advantage of the Draw No Bet market if you want a less-risky option. Going down this route means you can back Cincinnati at -125 or instead go for Chicago at -111.

You can find the shortest odds for Over 2.5 Goals, which means three goals or more being scored. Punters expecting both teams to find the net can get -208 when it comes to BTTS Yes.

The top football betting sites definitely give customers lots of choice. When it comes to MLS games, choose from hundreds of markets until you find the most attractive odds.

Full-Time Result

1

+145

X

+265

2

+160

Half-Time Result

1

+190

X

+135

2

+200

Double Chance

1X

-213

12

-370

X2

-192

Draw No Bet

1

-125

2

-111

Asian Handicap

1 Hcp -0.25

+112

2 Hcp +0.25

-147

Total Goals

Under 2.5

+130

Over 2.5

-172

Both Teams to Score

Yes

-208

No

+148

Favourite Evander is +360 to be the First Goalscorer, while similar odds apply when it comes to him scoring the last goal.

Evander (Cincinnati)

First

+125

Anytime

+360

Hugo Cuypers (Chicago)

First

+150

Anytime

+430

Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago)

First

+230

Anytime

+650

Gerardo Valenzuela (Cincinnati)

First

+310

Anytime

+900

Maren Haile-Selassie (Chicago)

First

+320

Anytime

+900

Robin Lod (Chicago)

First

+330

Anytime

+950

Jonathan Bamba (Chicago)

First

+340

Anytime

+1000

Anton Jonsson Salétros (Chicago)

First

+550

Anytime

+1600

Andrew Gutman (Chicago)

First

+700

Anytime

+2000

Pavel Bucha (Cincinnati)

First

+750

Anytime

+2200

Sergio Oregel (Chicago)

First

+800

Anytime

+2200

Kyle Smith (Cincinnati)

First

+800

Anytime

+2200

Cincinnati have racked up seven wins, two defeats and one draw in the last 10 home matches, scoring an average of 2.50 goals per game and conceding 1.00.

Chicago have four wins, four draws and two losses in the last 10 away games, scoring an average of 1.90 goals per match and conceding 1.60.

Cincinnati overcame Chicago 2-1 when the sides last met at TQL Stadium. It’s been three Chicago wins and two Cincinnati victories in the past 5 H2H meetings at TQL Stadium.

Last 10 League Games		W-D-L	G	GF	GA	O2.5	U2.5	B-Y	B-No
FC Cincinnati Home Stats		7-1-2	3.50	2.50	1.00	6	4	3	7
Chicago Fire Away Stats		4-4-2	3.50	1.90	1.60	8	2	6	4

• W-D-L = Wins-Draws-Losses
• G = Avg. Goals
• GF = Avg. Goals For
• GA = Avg. Goals Against
• O2.5 = Matches Over 2.5 Goals
• U2.5 = Matches Under 2.5 Goals
• B-Y = Matches BTTS Yes
• B-No = Matches BTTS No

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FC Cincinnati vs Chicago Fire Lineups & Team News

Avoid surprises — review the Cincinnati vs Chicago team news before you bet. Expect the predicted and confirmed MLS lineups along with timely injury updates.

FC Cincinnati Team Page Chicago Fire Team Page

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