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It's early in the 2022 MLS season but the Chicago Fire and Minnesota United are both sitting in a tenuous position in their respective conferences through seven games. Chicago is currently seventh in the East, while Minnesota is seventh in the West, so they're both in a position where they're going to have to fight to hold onto a top-seven position to make the MLS playoffs. On Saturday, they'll go head-to-head with hopes of earning three critical points in that fight.

Minnesota United will host the match at Allianz Field in Minneapolis and kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET. Minnesota United is the -111 favorite (risk $111 to win $100), while Chicago Fire is a +330 underdog in the latest Minnesota United FC vs. Chicago Fire odds from Caesars Sportsbook. A draw is listed at +240 and the over-under for total goals is 2.5. Before locking in any Chicago Fire vs. Minnesota United picks, you need to see what SportsLine soccer insider Brandt Sutton has to say.

Sutton, a former collegiate soccer player, has been SportsLine's top soccer editor for nearly five years. He has followed soccer closely for much longer and factors in managerial tactics, projected lineups and past performances to make the most-informed decisions possible, keeping his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.

Sutton has also been on a roll with his best bets, going 66-49 in his last 115 soccer picks, returning over $1,100 for $100 bettors.

Now, Sutton has broken down the Chicago Fire matchup from every angle and just revealed his MLS picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the betting lines and trends for Minnesota United vs. Chicago Fire:

  • Minnesota United vs. Chicago Fire spread: Minnesota United -0.5 (-115)
  • Minnesota United vs. Chicago Fire over-under: 2.5 goals (over +105, under -135)
  • Minnesota United vs. Chicago Fire money line: Minnesota -111, Draw +240, Chicago Fire +330
  • CHI: Chicago has been shutout in each of its last three league games
  • MIN: Hassani Dotson and Emanuel Reynoso each have two assists this season

Why you should back Minnesota United

Despite being in seventh in the Western Conference standings, Minnesota is showing the ability to rebound from an inconsistent start. In its last league game against Colorado, Minnesota took over possession at 51 percent with 14 shots including six on targets. Goals from Robin Lod, Bakaye Dibassy and Abu Danladi helped propel the team to a convincing home victory that sets them up nicely to face a Chicago team that is struggling to score.

The Fire have been shutout in each of its last three league games, and they've scored just five goals in their first seven matches this season. In addition, Minnesota United has scored six goals in four home games. 

Why you should back Chicago Fire

Chicago made a high-profile signing during the offseason when it landed Swiss international and a former regular at Bayern Munich and Liverpool, Xherdan Shaqiri. The 30-year-old has one goal in five appearances this season but hasn't played in the last two games because of a calf injury. Shaqiri's status for Saturday is up in the air but there's no question he'd make the Fire more dangerous in attack and it'd be a huge boost.

But even if Shaquiri can't play, Chicago will hang its hat on its defensive solidity. The Fire have the best defensive record in MLS, allowing only two goals through seven matches. A well-organized back four is the catalyst in those defensive efforts and then 17-year-old goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina has been sensational as the last line of defense. He's saved 13 of 15 shots on target against so far this season and that 86.7 percent save percentage leads MLS this season.

How to make Minnesota United vs. Chicago Fire picks

Sutton has analyzed the Minnesota United vs. Chicago Fire match from all sides, and he is going under on the goal total. He also provides another confident best bet and has a full breakdown of the match. He's only sharing his expert MLS picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Chicago Fire vs. Minnesota United in Saturday's MLS matchup? And where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for the Chicago Fire vs Minnesota United match, all from the soccer expert on a 61-45 run on his latest soccer picks, and find out.