Gregg Berhalter has set his sights on the playoffs as the Chicago Fire return to Soldier Field this Saturday for the first time since July, as they host fellow playoff-chasers New York City FC.

Currently, the Fire sit two points behind NYCFC in the Eastern Conference, with the sides ninth and eighth, respectively.

The Fire, who are coming off the back of a 3-2 win over the New England Revolution, are unbeaten in six of their last seven games.

Both teams are locked in a tight playoff chase, alongside the Columbus Crew, for the final three playoff places in the East.

"It's definitely a position that we want to be in, that we've worked hard all year to go to," said Berhalter.

"Now, it's about finishing it off and getting into position to play in the playoffs. When you are playing in November, you're doing something right, and that's what we're trying to do."

Meanwhile, NYCFC lost last time out, falling to a 2-1 home defeat to D.C. United, despite taking the lead inside 20 minutes. 

However, Pascal Jansen's side were unbeaten in their five MLS outings prior to that loss, winning four and drawing one. Inter Miami aside, NYCFC have at least a game or more in hand on the teams above them as they seek to bridge the gap. 

"Playing one of the best offensive teams in the league is a challenge in itself," said Jansen. 

"We have created the pressure on ourselves. We are close to getting a place in the playoffs, but close isn't good enough."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire - Philip Zinckernagel

Philip Zinckernagel scored his 12th goal of the season on Saturday, adding to his 13 assists.

He is now only the second player in Fire history to register 25 goal contributions in a single campaign, alongside Nemanja Nikolic, who managed 28 in 2017.

New York City FC - Alonso Martinez

Alonso Martinez has found the net in each of his last two regular-season away games, scoring four goals in total, bagging a hat-trick against FC Dallas.

Since the start of the 2020 season, the only NYCFC player to score in three consecutive away matches is Valentin Castellanos, who did so across four straight games in 2020-21.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHICAGO FIRE WIN

New York City FC have lost just once in their last 15 meetings with Chicago (nine wins, five draws) since September 2018. However, only two of those nine victories have come away from home (four draws, two losses).

Chicago have been in solid recent form, winning four of their last six matches (one draw, one loss), including a 3-2 triumph over New England on Saturday that lifted the club to 42 points for the season.

The Fire have surpassed 42 points in a regular season only once since 2014, reaching 55 in 2017 during their lone playoff appearance in that span.

NYCFC, meanwhile, have won three of their last four away matches (one draw), including back-to-back victories. This run follows a poor stretch where they managed just two wins from 26 away games in all competitions (11 draws, 13 losses).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 41.1%

Draw – 26.7%

New York City – 32.3%