Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami – MLS, May 22, 2021

The Fire has already played five matches this year, but Raphael Wickey’s men are still searching for their first win of the 2021 MLS season.

Following one draw and four straight defeats, Chicago welcomes Inter Miami to Soldier Field on Saturday, May 22, aiming to move away from the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

The Herons have experienced an inconsistent start under Phil Neville. However, they have only lost one of their previous five games and head into Week 6 on the back of a 3-2 victory over Cincinnati.

You can find my Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami prediction and betting pick below. But first, let’s take a look at the odds for Saturday’s clash and analyze both sides.

Although Chicago has made a dreadful start to the season, top betting sites view the Fire as the favorite to win this one. That said, the odds gap is noticeably small.

The Illinois outfit will have the home-field advantage on Saturday. Still, Inter Miami will fancy their chances of sealing back-to-back victories and heaping more misery on off-from Chicago.

Everything was looking up for the Fire when they raced into a 2-0 lead inside 11 minutes on the opening weekend. But when New England leveled the score before the 30-minute mark, normal service resumed.

To make matters worse for Wicky’s men, they have failed to score in each of their previous three matches. Luka Stojanovic has netted two of the Fire’s three goals this season, yet his teammates have failed to contribute.

You probably won’t be surprised to learn that Chicago is the joint-lowest scorer in the Eastern Conference, averaging just 0.6 goals per game.

Having conceded ten goals, the Fire also has the second-worst defensive record in the division. That doesn’t bode well when facing the Herons, who are the second-highest scorers in the East.

A record of 2-2-2 underlines Inter Miami’s inconsistent start to the season. But having only lost one of their last five outings, Neville’s men appear to be heading in the right direction.

The Herons beat Philadelphia in Week 2 before sealing back-to-back draws with Nashville and Atlanta. A disappointing loss to Montreal followed, but the Florida club returned to winning ways last weekend – seeing of Cincy 3-2.

Goals from Brek Shea and Gonzalo Higuain gave Miami a seemingly healthy advantage, but Cincy made it 2-2 with eight minutes remaining. Thankfully for Neville’s side, Higuain netted the winner moments later.

The veteran striker has already notched up four goals in five appearances this year, while his brother, Federico, has assisted him on two occasions.

Needless to say, the Higuain brothers will be licking their lips at the prospect of exploiting Chicago’s leaky backline this weekend.

It is no secret that Inter Miami has made an unpredictable start to 2021. But if their recent performances are anything to go by, the Herons should be able to see off struggling Chicago with ease.

It almost feels as though Wicky’s men haven’t realized the new season has started. Having taken just one point from a possible 15 this year, I expect Fire to suffer another loss on Saturday.