Toluca vs Chicago Fire FC Predicted lineup, betting tips, odds, injury news, H2H, telecast | Leagues Cup 2024

The Men in Red to take on Toluca in a must-win group stage clash.

Deportivo Toluca FC, also popularly known as Toluca FC, are currently placed fourth in the Apertura table in Liga MX. They are unbeaten so far and are just two points away from equalizing with the table toppers Cruz Azul. They will eagerly anticipate inaugurating their Leagues Cup campaign with a resounding victory over the beleaguered Chicago Fire FC, aiming to catapult themselves to the pinnacle of the group stage standings.

Currently mired in the depths of their worst nightmares, Chicago Fire FC find themselves precariously positioned second from the bottom of the Eastern Conference table in MLS. To make matters even worse, they were handed a defeat by Sporting KC in their opening fixture of the Leagues Cup campaign. That narrow defeat in the previous game has pushed them further to the brink of a group-stage exit.

We can expect a thrilling goal-frenzy clash when Toluca FC lock horns against winless Chicago Fire FC. Come what may, the Men in Red will ardently commit every drop of sweat, blood and tears to clinch a win in the impending match, thereby keeping their knockout ambitions alive.

Kick-Off:

Friday, 2 August 2024 at 6:30 AM IST

Location: SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, Illinois, USA

Form:

Toluca (in all competitions): D-W-W-D-D

Chicago Fire FC (in all competitions): L-L-W-D-L

Final from Kansas City. #cf97 | #SKCvsCHI pic.twitter.com/k0vwYJL1rl

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) July 29, 2024

Players to watch:

Paulinho (Toluca)

Joao Paulo Dias Fernandes, commonly known as Paulinho, made over a century of appearances for Gil Vicente, Braga and Sporting CP before signing for the Mexican-based outfit recently. He even scored a brace against Andorra in his debut match for the Portugal national team. For his exemplary performance and entertaining brand of football, Paulinho was inducted into the Primeira Liga Team of the Year in the 2019-20 season.

Georgios Koutsias (Chicago Fire FC)

For the indispensable upcoming contest on Friday, the 5-foot-11-inch Greek striker will need to tap into his inherent ferocity to aid Chicago Fire. Koutsias has previously played for PAOK and Volos before plying his trade with the Men in Red. He was also part of the Macedonia-based outfit’s squad that won the Greek Cup in the 2020-21 season. He has so far played 28 matches and scored three goals for Chicago.

Match facts:

• Chicago are coming after a narrow defeat to Sporting KC.
• Chicago have conceded five goals in their previous five matches.
• Toluca are unbeaten in their last five matches.

Toluca vs Chicago Fire: Betting Tips and Odds

• Tip 1 – Match to end in a draw.
• Tip 2 – Paulinho to score or assist.
• Tip 3 – At least 1 goal to be scored in the second half.

Injury and team news:

Apart from Juan Escobar, who is suffering from an unknown injury, there doesn’t seem to be any other major injury concern for the Mexican-based outfit.

Chicago Fire FC, on the other hand, will likely miss the presence of Carlos Terán and Federico Navarro, who are recovering from a leg injury.

Head to head

There doesn’t seem to be any record of these two sides previously facing off against each other in any competition. So this could possibly be the first of many encounters between the North American outfits.

Predicted lineup:

Toluca predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Volpi (GK); Garcia, Luan, Pereira, Gallardo; Baeza, Amaya; Dominguez, Vega, Araujo; Paulinho

Chicago Fire FC predicted lineup (4-4-2)

Richey (GK); Shannon, Salquist, Souquet, Herbers; Gutierrez, Gimenez, Acosta, Haile-Selassie; Barlow, Koutsias

Match prediction for Toluca vs Chicago Fire FC

Despite Chicago looking off-colour, they are a very good side that has the potential to beat any team on any given day. However, Toluca will not leave any stone unturned to kickstart their Leagues Cup campaign with a win. We are expecting both sides to nullify each other and settle for a draw.

Predictions: Toluca 1-1 Chicago Fire FC

Telecast for Toluca vs Chicago Fire FC

The match will be telecasted on Apple TV.

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