Looking to make it back-to-back Leagues Cup victories in the early hours of Monday, Chicago will welcome Santos Laguna to Soldier Field.
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Verdict: Chicago Fire win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker:Â BetUS
Chicago Fire
Starting with the hosts, getting their Leagues Cup adventure underway with a routine 2-0 victory at home against Necaxa in the early hours of Thursday, Chicago will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. While the Fire might have endured a downbeat return from the summer’s World Cup break, Gregg Berhalter’s men have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across North America. Scrapping it out at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, Chicago have won five of their previous seven appearances across all competitions and the mood in their camp should be at a red-hot high. Enjoying a clinical run in the final third on either side of the summer interval, Monday’s hosts will be smelling the chance to make another Leagues Cup statement at Soldier Field.
Chicago Fire Team News
Yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this calendar year, Portuguese midfielder Andre Franco remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury and won’t play any part here.
Completing what was a blockbuster MLS switch this summer and opening his account with a match-winning brace against Charlotte earlier in the month, Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski will lead the line. One-time Watford star Philip Zinckernagel will partner Lewandowski in the final third.
Santos Laguna
As for the visitors, while Chicago might find the mood in their camp at a real high, Santos Laguna are in the midst of what is becoming a budding crisis. Getting their respective Leagues Cup adventure underway with a routine 2-0 defeat against New York City in the early hours of Thursday, Renato Paiva’s downbeat squad should be bracing themselves for another stern examination here. Opening the 2026 Apertura campaign with three consecutive defeats, Monday’s guests are one of just two clubs who are still waiting to put a maiden point on the board. Rightfully coming under a huge amount of recent scrutiny, it should also be highlighted that Santos Laguna have shown some glaring issues in the final third. In fact, Paiva’s side have failed to find the net in over 270 minutes of action.
Santos Laguna Team News
Both still recovering from their own respective knee injuries, Santos Laguna will once again be without the services of Choco Lozano and one-time Sampdoria youngster Bruno Amione in the early hours of Monday.
However, recently returning from a shoulder issue, Colombian striker Kevin Palacios should get some more minutes under his belt. Completing a permanent switch from Racing Club this summer, 29-year-old Franco Pardo will start at the heart of Laguna’s defence.
Chicago Fire vs Santos Laguna Key Factors to Consider
- Monday’s Leagues Cup showdown at Solider Field will be the first meeting between Chicago and Santos Laguna.
- Chicago have won five of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
- The Fire have won each of their previous three straight matchups at Soldier Field by an aggregate score of 6-2.
- Santos Laguna have lost each of their previous four consecutive appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 9-2.
- Monday’s guests have failed to register a single strike in over 270 minutes of action.
Conclusion
Getting their Leagues Cup charge underway with a routine 2-0 victory at home against Necaxa in the early hours of Thursday, Chicago will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. Enjoying what has become a real purple patch this season, the Fire will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity at Soldier Field. Likewise, winning all of their previous three consecutive showdowns in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 6-2, Chicago are rightfully installed as a standout contender on home soil.
Verdict: Chicago Fire win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker:Â BetUS
