Chicago Red Stars W vs Washington Spirit W Prediction: Preview and Betting Tips

Chicago Red Stars W welcome Washington Spirit W to Martin Stadium on 20 September 2026 in a Group Stage clash in the NWSL Women that pits one of the league’s strugglers against a genuine title contender. With Chicago sitting bottom of the table and Washington in the top two, this fixture looks like a classic “top vs bottom” encounter on paper, but recent head-to-head meetings suggest it may be more competitive than the standings alone imply.

Chicago are 16th with 17 points from 24 matches, carrying a heavy -40 goal difference after conceding 54 goals and scoring only 14. Survival and pride are the main motivations now, and any result against a powerhouse like Washington Spirit W would be a major boost. Washington arrive in Bridgeview with 43 points, 13 wins from 24 and a +10 goal difference, targeting the top of the table and strengthening their push towards the NWSL Women play-offs.

From a betting and prediction standpoint, most markets and statistical models see Washington Spirit W as overwhelming favourites, but the Red Stars have taken points off them before. That blend of clear imbalance in season form and a surprisingly mixed H2H history makes this an intriguing spot for punters looking for Chicago Red Stars vs Washington Spirit predictions, NWSL betting tips, and value angles in women’s football markets.

Chicago Red Stars W vs Washington Spirit W Key Stats

• Chicago Red Stars W are 16th with 17 points from 24 matches, scoring 14 and conceding 54 (goal difference -40).
• The last NWSL Women meeting on 31 August 2025 at Audi Field finished Washington Spirit W 1-1 Chicago Red Stars W.
• Season statistics show Washington Spirit W averaging 1.4 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per match across 24 games, with 9 clean sheets.

Chicago Red Stars W vs Washington Spirit W — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 16 vs 2
• Points: 17 vs 43
• Goals For: 14 vs 33
• Goals Against: 54 vs 23
• Clean Sheets: Chicago Red Stars W 3; Washington Spirit W 9

Across 24 matches, Chicago Red Stars W have struggled badly: just 5 wins, 2 draws and 17 defeats, with only 0.6 goals scored per game and 2.3 conceded. Their home record (4 wins, 1 draw, 6 losses, 10 scored, 22 conceded) is slightly better than their away form but still firmly in relegation-battle territory. The form line of DLLWL underlines the inconsistency and defensive frailty.

Washington Spirit W, by contrast, are one of the league’s most balanced sides. With 13 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses from 24 matches, they have scored 33 goals (1.4 per game) and conceded just 23 (1.0 per game). Their away record is particularly impressive: 7 wins, 3 draws, 2 defeats, with 18 scored and only 10 conceded. Their recent form sequence of LWWLD is not flawless, but over a longer run they’ve shown strong winning streaks and far more stability than Chicago.

Chicago Red Stars W vs Washington Spirit W Key Matchups

Chicago attack unit vs T. Rodman

Chicago’s attack has been one of the weakest in the league, with just 14 goals in 24 matches and 16 games where they failed to score. They average 0.6 goals per match and have only managed to score more than once in very limited situations. Against that, Washington Spirit W bring one of the league’s standout attacking threats in T. Rodman. Across 24 appearances and 1781 minutes, Rodman has 8 goals and 4 assists, meaning she has directly contributed to 12 of Washington’s 33 league goals.

Rodman’s volume is elite: 56 shots with 24 on target, plus 23 key passes and 72 dribble attempts. Her ability to both finish and create means Chicago’s back line, which concedes 2.3 goals per game and is especially vulnerable between minutes 46–60 and 61–75, will be under constant pressure. If Chicago cannot limit Rodman’s influence, the talent gap in the final third could decide the match early.

Chicago defence vs Washington midfield engine (A. Sullivan)

Another important battle will be in midfield, where Chicago’s fragile defensive structure faces Washington’s control players like A. Sullivan. Sullivan has made 18 appearances (7 starts) and logged 619 minutes, contributing heavily in ball circulation with 260 passes at 86% accuracy. Defensively, she has 10 tackles and 10 interceptions, helping Washington maintain their strong average of just 1.0 goal conceded per game.

Chicago’s defensive numbers are alarming: 54 goals conceded, with a significant share coming right after half-time and in the final quarter of matches. Washington’s midfield, anchored by players such as Sullivan, supports a team that has kept 9 clean sheets and often controls tempo. If Chicago cannot disrupt Washington’s midfield rhythm, they risk being pinned back and exposed repeatedly, especially as the game wears on.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

These sides are familiar foes in the NWSL Women, and recent meetings have often been competitive, with both teams picking up wins and several draws. The scorelines also show a tendency toward goals, particularly when Chicago manage to open up the game.

• 31 August 2025: Washington Spirit W 1-1 Chicago Red Stars W (NWSL Women)
• 10 May 2025: Chicago Red Stars W 2-3 Washington Spirit W (NWSL Women)
• 20 October 2024: Washington Spirit W 2-0 Chicago Red Stars W (NWSL Women)
• 31 July 2024: Washington Spirit W 2-3 Chicago Red Stars W (NWSL - Liga MXF Summer Cup)
• 2 May 2024: Chicago Red Stars W 2-4 Washington Spirit W (NWSL Women)

Chicago Red Stars W vs Washington Spirit W Prediction

Everything in the season data points toward Washington Spirit W controlling this match. They are superior in points, goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded, and their away record is one of the best in the league. Chicago’s defence concedes heavily, especially in the second half, and they have failed to score in two-thirds of their games.

Prediction models give Chicago only about a 10% chance of winning, with the draw and Washington each around 45%. That effectively makes Washington an overwhelming favourite with a strong “win or draw” safety net. However, head-to-head history shows Chicago can score against Washington and occasionally pull off an upset, so a complete blowout is not guaranteed.

Given Washington’s attacking quality, led by T. Rodman, and Chicago’s defensive record, the most likely match flow is Washington controlling possession, creating the clearer chances and eventually breaking through, while Chicago look to counter and perhaps nick a goal. A competitive but ultimately comfortable away win looks the most plausible outcome.

Predicted Score: Chicago Red Stars W 1-2 Washington Spirit W

Chicago Red Stars W Recent Form

Chicago’s recent league form reads DLLWL, reflecting just one win in their last five and persistent defensive issues. They have conceded heavily in this spell and continue to struggle to create clear chances, despite the occasional spirited performance. Their broader season pattern shows long losing streaks and only three clean sheets in 24 matches.

Washington Spirit W Recent Form

Washington Spirit W come into this fixture with a recent form line of LWWLD. That run includes two wins in their last three and only one defeat in the last five, consistent with a side sitting second in the table. Over the season they have produced a five-match winning streak and have generally bounced back quickly from setbacks, maintaining strong defensive numbers and reliable scoring output.

Chicago Red Stars W Possible Starting Lineup

GK: A. Naeher or K. Lund; Defenders: Elise Evans, A. Farmer, S. Staab, T. Malham; Midfielders: Leila Ouahabi, E. Egizii, B. Franklin, A. Gasper, M. Hayashi, B. Pinto; Forwards: M. Swanson, J. Huitema, J. Grosso, S. Charley, R. Gareis, Nádia Gomes.

Chicago have several experienced internationals and versatile attackers, including M. Swanson and J. Huitema, but the season’s statistics suggest the issue has been balance and defensive solidity rather than individual quality. They have alternated between formations such as 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 and 4-1-4-1, often chasing games and exposing their back line. Expect a cautious shape here, perhaps with a lone striker and extra bodies in midfield to try to contain Washington’s transitions.

Washington Spirit W Possible Starting Lineup

GK: K. Collins or S. MacIver; Defenders: G. Carle, L. Di Guglielmo, P. Metayer, E. Morgan; Midfielders: D. Abiodun, L. Santos, A. Sullivan, Hal Hershfelt; Forwards: T. Rodman, Ashley Hatch, S. Cantore.

Washington Spirit W have been consistent tactically, favouring a 4-2-3-1 in 14 matches, with occasional switches to 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3. That stability underpins their strong defensive record and allows attacking stars like T. Rodman and Ashley Hatch to thrive. With nine clean sheets and only 23 goals conceded, expect Washington to set up aggressively but with a solid double pivot in midfield, looking to dominate territory and press Chicago high.

Chicago Red Stars W Team News

No significant absences reported.

Washington Spirit W Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Chicago Red Stars W:

• None reported.

Washington Spirit W:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: Chicago Red Stars W vs Washington Spirit W

Exactly 3 distinct betting ideas from different markets:

• Result Tip: Back Washington Spirit W to win. They are second in the table with 13 wins and a +10 goal difference, while Chicago are bottom with a -40 goal difference and just 5 wins. The prediction models give Washington roughly a 45% chance of victory and only 10% for Chicago. Market odds on Washington range from 1.22 to 1.30, implying an approximate win probability between 76.9% (1 ÷ 1.30 × 100) and 82.0% (1 ÷ 1.22 × 100), making them a clear favourite.
• Goals Tip: Washington Spirit W over 1.5 team goals. Washington average 1.4 goals per match and have scored 18 in 12 away games (1.5 per game), while Chicago concede 2.3 per match and have allowed 22 in 11 home fixtures. Recent H2H clashes have seen Washington score 3, 2 and 4 goals in three of the last four NWSL meetings. With Chicago’s defence vulnerable after half-time, backing Washington to score at least twice is well supported by the stats. Use the main match-winner prices (1.22–1.30 for Washington) as a reference for their offensive edge when pricing this market.
• Value Tip: Washington Spirit W to win & both teams to score. Chicago’s attack is weak overall, but the H2H history shows they can find the net against Washington: they scored in four of the last five meetings, including 3-2 and 3-2 wins and a 2-3 defeat. Washington’s attack, driven by T. Rodman (8 goals, 4 assists), should create enough to win, but their late-game concessions (a significant share of goals conceded in the 76–90 minute range) leave the door open for a consolation goal. With Washington heavily favoured at 1.22–1.30 for the straight win, the win & BTTS combination is likely to be priced at a more attractive number and offers solid value for risk-tolerant bettors.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.