New York City FC welcome Chicago Fire FC to Yankee Stadium on May 25, 2025 in what promises to be a compelling Eastern Conference showdown. Fans tuning in from Italy, Germany, France and Spain can catch the action live at 21:00 CEST, while viewers in the UK should set their alarms for 20:00 BST.
Both teams are eager to climb the MLS table as the regular season heats up. With playoff places within sight, every point will count as New York City FC aims to build momentum on home turf while Chicago Fire FC looks to steal one on the road.
How are both teams coming into this?
The recent head-to-head record between these sides has been finely balanced. In their last seven meetings, New York City FC II (often a useful barometer for the first team’s preparations) have claimed three wins, Chicago Fire II have managed one victory, and three contests ended in draws. Between them, 28 goals were scored, underlining a trend for open, competitive games.
Off the pitch, New York City FC boss Mauricio Pochettino recently named his goalkeeper in a 27-player USMNT training camp roster, hinting at squad rotation considerations for this fixture. Chicago Fire FC will need to be wary of a reinvigorated home side and find solutions to break down New York’s defensive setup if they are to leave with a positive result.
Our forecast
Given the tight margins in recent meetings, we’re expecting another closely contested affair. The likelihood is for both sides to cancel each other out in midfield, leading to fewer clear-cut chances. A low-scoring draw remains on the cards, especially considering Chicago Fire’s defensive discipline away from home.
That said, New York City FC’s home advantage and recent squad rotation patterns hint at a slight edge. We’re leaning towards a 1-0 victory for the hosts or a draw, making a double chance (NYC FC or draw) an attractive play for bettors seeking a balance of risk and reward.
Best odds
Bet365: New York City FC 2.20 / Draw 3.30 / Chicago Fire FC 3.10
William Hill: New York City FC 2.25 / Draw 3.25 / Chicago Fire FC 3.05
Betfair: New York City FC 2.18 / Draw 3.35 / Chicago Fire FC 3.15
