Philadelphia Union will host Chicago Fire at Subaru Park on Saturday in the fifth round of the 2026 Major League Soccer campaign. The hosts have had a nightmare start to the season and will be very keen to finally get their season going this weekend.

Philadelphia had a remarkable campaign last season, winning the Supporters’ Shield for only the second time in their history while also reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals, but they have lost all four of their opening games this season, most recently falling to a 3-1 defeat to Atlanta United.

The Union, who currently sit at the bottom of the combined league table, are the only team yet to pick up a single point this season, leaving head coach Bradley Carnell desperate to see his side get a result on Saturday.

Chicago have not had the best of starts to the new season but are considerably better off than their weekend opponents, having won one and drawn one of their opening four games of the season.

The Fire, who were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by Philadelphia last season, thought they had scored the winner when Hugo Cuypers broke the deadlock in the 81st minute of their clash with DC United last time out, only to concede in the 84th and 95th minutes to see the game end in a 2-1 defeat.

Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

• The sides have met on 42 previous occasions going into Saturday’s game. Philadelphia have won 19 of those meetings, and 10 have ended in draws while Chicago have won the remaining 13.
• The hosts have scored a remarkable 22 goals in normal time across the last 10 meetings between the sides.
• Chicago have only two wins from their last 13 meetings with Philadelphia.
• Only St. Louis (1) have scored fewer goals in MLS than Philadelphia’s two across the opening four games of this season.

Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire Prediction

The sides are closely matched heading into the weekend clash but the Union will need to improve on their recent lapses if they are to secure a favorable outcome.

Chicago will hope to take advantage of the hosts’ poor form this weekend but will be hard-pressed to get anything more than a point.

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1-1 Chicago Fire

Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Result: Draw

Tip 2 – Goals – Over/under 2.5 – Under 2.5 goals

Tip 3 – Both teams to score: Yes (Both teams have gotten on the scoresheet in five of the visitors’ last seven games)