» Soccer Picks » Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire Expert MLS Picks Against the Spread 7/17/2019

Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire Expert MLS Picks Against the Spread 7/17/2019

by Guy Bruhn - 7/16/2019

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

SeatGeek Stadium

C. J. Sapong and the Chicago Fire (5-7-9, 10th in the Eastern Conference) host the Columbus Crew (5-2-14, 11th in the Eastern Conference) at SeatGeek Stadium on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The goalies expected to start are Joe Bendik for the Columbus Crew and Kenneth Kronholm for the Chicago Fire. The Fire are priced at -156 while the Crew are at +448. The over/under has been set at 2.75.

The Columbus Crew step onto the field holding a mark of 5 victories, 2 draws, and 14 defeats which is good for 11th in the Eastern Conference. During the year thus far, they have racked up a total of 16 goals which is 12th in the conference and 24th in MLS. That said, if they are going to get the win in the matchup, they will look to play mistake free soccer so they can take advantage of their opportunities. Their goal differential is -14 which is good for 22nd in MLS. The Columbus Crew will want to make it a priority to get the ball to teammates as they have compiled a total of 11 assists which is 24th in MLS and 12th in the conference. When talking about shots on target, they have compiled a total of 63 which is 12th in the conference and 24th in MLS. As a group, Columbus currently has a total of 258 fouls which means they have an average of 12.29 fouls per contest. They have compiled a total of 17 points for the 2019 season and they have an average attendance of 13,523.

Gyasi Zardes is one of the players to keep an eye on for the Crew. The forward from the United States has participated in 16 contests for the year and has totaled 1,407 minutes. In that time, the 27-year-old has tallied 6 goals and has assisted on 1 goal. He is averaging 88 minutes per appearance. Zardes has been a starter in 16 contests for the year and has committed 13 fouls over that period. When discussing shots on target, Zardes has connected on 10 which puts him at 72nd in MLS and 16th in the Eastern Conference among forwards. Pedro Santos is another guy to watch out for on the squad from Columbus. The 30-year-old from Portugal has tallied 5 goals so far this year which has him sitting in 7th in the East among midfielders and 43rd among all qualified players in MLS. He has played 1,695 minutes and is averaging 85 mins per appearance which has him sitting in 110th in MLS. Up to now for the season, he has 13 shots on target which has him sitting in 13th in the East among midfielders.

In net for the Crew is Joe Bendik from the United States. He is 29 years old and has racked up 450 minutes defending net for the 2019 season. Bendik is allowing 2.00 goals per 90 minutes which has him sitting in 21st in the Eastern Conference and 36th among goalies in MLS. For the season, he has allowed 10 goals. His save % is .500 which has him sitting in 22nd in the Eastern Conference.

The Chicago Fire head into this game holding a mark of 5 wins, 7 draws, and 9 losses putting them at 10th in the Eastern Conference. During the year thus far, they have racked up a total of 31 goals which has them ranked at 5th in the Eastern Conference and 8th in the league. That said, if they are going to get points on the day, they are going to want to put the pressure on the opposition. Their goal differential is +1 putting them at 13th in the league. The Chicago Fire will look to share the ball with their teammates to get the opposition out of place because they have earned a total of 21 assists which has them ranked at 8th in the league and 5th in the Eastern Conference. In respect of shots on target, they have earned a total of 107 which has them ranked at 3rd in the Eastern Conference and 6th in the league. As a team, Chicago has earned a total of 281 fouls which has them averaging 13.38 fouls per game. They have earned a total of 22 points for this year and they are averaging a crowd of 11,572.

C. J. Sapong is one of the players to keep an eye on for the Fire. The forward from the United States has engaged in 20 games this season and has played 1,624 minutes. During that period of time, the 30-year-old has racked up 8 goals and has had an assist on 1 goal. He holds an average of 81 mins per game. Sapong has started 18 games this season and has committed 28 fouls in that time. In terms of shots on target, Sapong has earned 19 which has him ranked 15th in MLS and 4th in the Eastern Conference among forwards. Nemanja Nikolic is another scorer to watch out for on the squad from Chicago. The 31-year-old from Hungary has a total of 6 goals so far in 2019 which puts him at 7th in the Eastern Conference among forwards and 24th among all players in MLS. He has played a total of 1,127 minutes and is averaging 59 mins per appearance which puts him at 329th in MLS. Thus far in the season, he has produced 14 shots on target which puts him at 6th in the Eastern Conference among forwards.

The man protecting the net for the Fire is Kenneth Kronholm from the United States. He is 33 years old and has totaled 720 mins minding the goal for the 2019 season. Kronholm is surrendering an average of 1.75 goals per 90 mins which has him ranking in 19th in the Eastern Conference and 33rd in MLS among goaltenders. Over the course of this year, he has given up 14 goals. He holds a save % of .588 which has him ranking in 16th in the Eastern Conference.

Who will win tonight's MLS game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (+448)

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Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire Expert MLS Picks Against the Spread 7/17/2019

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