Preview: Chicago Fire vs. Atlanta United - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 18 May 2023, 21:25
Having seen their run of two consecutive victories come to an end last time out, Chicago Fire will be targeting an immediate return to winning ways when they welcome Atlanta United to Soldier Field on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the away set out to record back to back wins for the first time in two months off the back of snapping a four-game losing streak across all competitions.

Match preview

Chicago Fire were beaten away from home once again following a 2-1 loss against Charlotte FC when the teams faced off at the Bank of America Stadium on Thursday.

Frank Klopas's men took the lead just shy of the half-hour mark through Kacper Przybylko before a second-half double from Brandon Cambridge turned the game on its head.

As a result, The Men in Red remain 13th in the Eastern Conference of the MLS table, four points adrift of the last playoff spot having played one match fewer.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have enjoyed the better of this fixture of late, winning three of the last five meetings while suffering only one defeat in that time.

Unbeaten in 10 straight matches in front of their fans leading up to this weekend's affair, Sunday's hosts have established themselves as a real force to reckon with on their own patch.

Atlanta United recorded arguably their most impressive win of the season by comprehensively thrashing Colorado Rapids 4-0 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday.

Thiago Almada opened the scoring 29 minutes in to put Gonzalo Pineda's men on course for victory before Luiz Araujo, Tyler Wolff and Georgios Giakoumakis sealed the deal in the second period.

Despite picking up just three of the last 12 points available, The Five Stripes sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, albeit now six points adrift of top spot.

Currently with the second-worst defensive record on the road, Sunday's visitors will need to tighten up in their quest to secure a first away win since March.

Chicago Fire Major League Soccer form:

D

L

D

L

W

L

Atlanta United Major League Soccer form:

D

W

L

L

L

W

Team News

Osvaldo Alonso and Brad Guzan are currently down with long-term knee problems and neither will not play any part for Atlanta United in this one.

The visitors will also be without the services of Erik Lopez and Amar Sejdic but the latter is not far off making his return to action from a knock.

Andrew Gutman missed his side's win over Colorado Rapids through suspension and the 26-year-old is not eligible to participate this weekend either.

American duo Victor Bezerra and Jonathan Dean are Chicago Fire's only absentees here as they remain unavailable through leg and ankle injuries respectively.

Finding the back of the net in two of his last three starts, Kacper Przybylko will be expected to retain his place in the XI at the expense of Kei Kamara.

Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:

Brady; Navarro, Czichos, Pineda, Souquet; Gimenez, Navarro; Gutierrez, Shaqiri, Haile-Selassie; Przybylko

Atlanta United possible starting lineup:

Westberg; Hernandez, Sanchez, Robinson, Lennon; Sosa, Rossetto, Almada; Araujo, Almada, Etienne; Berry

We say: Chicago Fire 2-1 Atlanta United

With the two most porous teams in the MLS going head to head, we are anticipating an exciting affair and goals at both ends. That said, we just about fancy Chicago Fire to come out on top in the end.

How to watch

You can watch Chicago Fire vs. Atlanta United and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Previews by email

Top News

27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The January transfer window is almost here and clubs around the UK and Europe are lining up moves as they look to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton vs. Brentford (Friday, 7.30pm) Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Brentford to the Amex in one of two games being played after Boxing Day in the Premier League. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly shortlisted 22-year-old Boca Juniors goalkeeper Leandro Brey as a transfer target for the January 2025 window. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim has suffered the worst start of a Manchester United manager in 92 years thanks to Thursday's disheartening 2-0 Premier League loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea suffered their worst Premier League collapse of the 2000s in their shock 2-1 home loss to Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk AVS and Estrela Amadora are in action for the last time in 2024 when they go head to head at the Estadio do Desportivo das Aves in round 16 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Saturday. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool wing wizard Mohamed Salah hit yet another Premier League goalscoring landmark as Arne Slot's league leaders fought back to defeat Leicester City 3-1 on Boxing Day. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Leicester City at Anfield on Boxing Day. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have lost key midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai to suspension for their trip to West Ham United in the Premier League this weekend. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The only team in the Premier League with their unbeaten home record still intact, Arsenal seek to avoid a festive giant killing in Friday's Emirates encounter with Ipswich Town. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The agent of Manchester United attacker Antony has confirmed that there is "concrete interest" in the Brazilian ahead of the January transfer window. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur's defensive crisis worsened in their 1-0 Premier League loss to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day, as Djed Spence was sent off while Radu Dragusin sustained an ankle injury. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to end 2024 on top of Serie A, league leaders Atalanta BC will tackle close challengers Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea hotshot Cole Palmer broke a 23-year-old club goalscoring record set by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the Blues' shock 2-1 Premier League defeat to West London derby rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Julen Lopetegui's West Ham United beat Southampton 1-0 away from home on Thursday afternoon and spoiled Saints manager Ivan Juric's first game in charge of the club. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest have shot back into third place in the Premier League table thanks to Nuno Espirito Santo masterminding a 1-0 win over former club Tottenham Hotspur. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Andoni Iraola's Champions League hopefuls Bournemouth were held to a 0-0 draw away from home by Crystal Palace on Boxing Day at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Rodrigo Muniz scored a last-gasp winner as Fulham sensationally came from behind to defeat West London rivals Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to arrest their underwhelming Primeira Liga results before Christmas, Estoril Praia and Moreirense clash at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Saturday, keen to notch important victories in the gameweek 16 encounter. 26 December 2024 talksport.com Birmingham's Boxing Day clash with Burton had to be temporarily suspended due to a medical emergency at St Andrew's. 26 December 2024 talksport.com Kevin De Bruyne certainly wasn't in the festive spirit after walking down the tunnel immediately after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw against Everton. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jose Mourinho reportedly wants Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford at Fenerbahce, while Paris Saint-Germain will not sign the 27-year-old. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erling Haaland missed a second-half penalty as Manchester City's Premier League plight continued with a 1-1 draw at home to a dogged Everton unit at the Etihad Stadium. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Primeira Liga title contenders Porto could climb to first place on Saturday when they host relegation-threatened Boavista at Estadio do Dragao in gameweek 16. 26 December 2024 talksport.com Goalkeepers tend to be a little crazy and Jordan Pickford is no different. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea and Fulham have announced their teams for the West London derby at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are paying increased attention to Atalanta BC midfielder Ederson ahead of a potential summer move to Old Trafford. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal pair Gabriel Jesus and David Raya could both write new chapters of Gunners history when Mikel Arteta's men host Ipswich Town in Friday's Premier League encounter. 26 December 2024 talksport.com Christmas may have come and gone, but Man City' boss Pep Guardiola - and his players - are hoping for presents in the form of new signings. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to finish a successful year with a streak of five straight Serie A wins, Inter Milan will visit Cagliari on Saturday, as both sides play their final fixture of 2024.