MLS Betting News, Odds, Tips and Preview: Chicago Fire v New York Red Bulls

Ljungberg moves to Chicago while Marquez lines up with Henry in New York

MLS News and Round Up. After losing in last week’s feature match, after suggesting here they may have a hard time against bottom side Chivas USA, the Columbus Crew regained some momentum in their charge towards the Eastern Conference title after beating Philadelphia 2-1 midweek. In the mix of their MLS and SuperLiga matches, there are still some high profile club friendly matches going on in North America. With Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham all playing friendly matches against MLS opponents, Real Madrid are out there to take on David Beckham’s LA Galaxy, after European Champions Inter Milan were held to a 2-2 draw against Dallas. The LA Galaxy, who are top of the Western Conference, also suffered a surprise defeat last weekend against the Chicago Fire, who will feature in this weekend’s MLS Game of the Week, and we will look at MLS betting on that in a moment. That was a big strike by the Fire against the Galaxy, whose title ambitions won’t be hurt that much really, as they are still topping the Western Conference, and are the best side there. USA World Cup star Landon Donovan hit a brace in the match, but it wasn’t enough to salvage a result for favourites, despite outshooting Chicago 15 to 4. There has been no real movement in the league, as we cross over in to the second half of the season. The Eastern Conference is far more interesting of a place, with a great chase on for second place, while in the West, the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake are pretty much in a world of their own and should secure the top two spots at the end of the year.

MLS Match of the Week: Chicago Fire v New York Red Bulls

The Chicago Fire have been busy in the transfer market, boosting their squad and filling their Designated Player spots. In the MLS, teams have a salary cap to stick to, meaning that each team can only spend x-amount of money on wages each season, so teams really have to budget. Teams have a little wiggle room in that they get three Designated Player spots, in which the league funds the wages of these players up to a certain amount, and anything over that the club has to play. This allows for some big name signings, just like the New York Red Bulls did with Thierry Henry. Their newest Designed Player is ex-Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg who was captured from the Seattle Sound. Ljungberg apparently turned down some offer to move back to Europe, including side who were taking part in the illustrious Champions League. But  Ljungberg wanted to stay committed to the MLS, and will make his full Chicago Fire start on the weekend against the Red Bulls. The Swede, who has spent two years Stateside, was happy with the move after being left on the sidelines with the Sounders.

The Red Bulls have stolen the headlines of transfer business in the MLS, and along with ex Arsenal star Thierry Henry, they have captured the signature of Mexico captain and midfielder Rafa Marquez from Barcelona. Both stars have been working on their fitness and should both be in action against the Chicago Fire on the weekend, as the Bulls look for an edge in the race to catch the Columbus Crew at the top of the Eastern Conference. Henry, who scored on his debut for his new club in a friendly match against Tottenham, made an immediate impact on his MLS debut, setting up two goals as side played out a 2-2 draw against the Houston Dynamo. Both of his assists were for Juan Pablo Angel to find the back of the net, and Red Bulls fans will be delighted that the partnership has immediately struck up an understanding. Despite their wealth of stars, the Red Bulls will go into the match against the Fire, looking for their first win in three matches. Their form of late, including a loss against Columbus, has really dented their title credentials, and now they really need three points to keep up any kind of challenge. The Red Bulls have fallen ten points behind Columbus and now have Toronto just four points behind them.

This is a massive match really as the Fire, with a win can close to within four points of the New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference, but will have two games in hand over the second placed team. The top two teams from each conference make it through to the knockout stage of the season, with the next four best teams from either conference going through. The Eastern Conference is not as strong as the Western Conference in terms of quality, and that is why the second spot in the East is far more valuable than in the West. Someone needs to take control and this match could have a huge influence on the how the season will play out. The Red Bulls need to start picking up maximum points if their investments are going to be rewarded with an Eastern Conference title, while Chicago are still in a strong position if they get their results going.

MLS Betting Tip: Should be a close match, with the Fire a stubborn team, with a similar record to the New York Red Bulls. They should be geared up for the match after beating the Galaxy and they will know the importance of this match. The Red Bulls are still looking as if they are lacking a little something, and would not back against the Fire sneaking this, or at least holding on to a draw.

Chicago Fire to win: 7/5 at Bet365
Draw: 9/4 at Ladbrokes
New York Red Bulls to win: 7/4 at SkyBet

Fire to win by one Goal: 3/1 at Bet365
Score Draw: 10/3 at Bet365
Bulls by one goal: 4/1 at Bet365

Eastern Conference MLS Standings

Western Conference MLS Standings