Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire – MLS, October 7, 2020

Chicago Fire will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak to four games when they face Sporting Kansas City in a cross-conference matchup at Children’s Mercy Park on Wednesday, October 7.

Despite only managing to pick up wins in two of their last eight outings, the Wizards still find themselves third in the Western Conference. Chicago’s resurgent run has seen the team open up a five-point lead over bottom-club DC United in the East, but the Fire can’t afford to become complacent.

This is destined to be an intriguing battle. If you’re interested in betting on the game, keep reading to see my Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire prediction and pick.

With both sides having played 15 games this year, Sporting KC has accumulated seven points more than Chicago. There are 12 teams between the Wizards and the Fire in the Supporters’ Shield standings, and this is definitely reflected in the odds at the top online sportsbooks for this game.

Having said that, Chicago heads into this clash brimming with belief following a series of impressive results, so Raphael Wicky’s men will be confident of upsetting the odds on Wednesday.

In all honesty, I’m surprised that SKC is still third in the Wetsern Conference. Granted, only top-club Seattle has won more games than Peter Vermes’ side this year. But when you look at it from a different angle, only four teams in the division have lost more games than the Wizards this season.

Kansas has played nine games since the regular season resumed, yet the team has failed to pick up back-to-back wins in that time. Two victories over Minnesota United and a win against Houston Dynamo last time out have kept the club afloat, but the Wizards have clearly struggled for consistency.

Under normal circumstances, a game against Chicago would provide SKC with the perfect opportunity to get back on track. But with the Fire flying at the moment, Wicky’s men won’t make life easy for the home side on Wednesday.

Chicago had only managed to win two games in 2020 before the Dynamo came to town a fortnight ago. The Fire crushed Houston 4-0 before doubling their win tally for the season with a 2-0 victory over Atlanta United a few days later.

The Illinois club extended their unbeaten run to three games with a hard-fought draw against Montreal Impact last time out. After going ahead, Chicago threw away their lead. But Wicky’s side showed great resilience to come from behind and earn a point.

Thankfully for the Fire, Robert Beric can’t stop scoring at the moment. The Slovenian striker has netted in each of Chicago’s previous five outings, so you’d be foolish to bet against him scoring for the sixth game in a row on Wednesday.

There is no denying that Sporting KC is far stronger than Chicago on paper. But right now, there is very little to separate the teams. The Fire is enjoying a revival, while the Wizards are struggling for consistency.

It could be difficult for Chicago to claim all three points at Children’s Mercy Park. But with Beric firing on all cylinders, the Fire could easy take a point back to Illinois.