Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Major League Soccer clash between Chicago Fire and New England Revolution, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference’s early strugglers will meet this Saturday as Chicago Fire hosts New England Revolution.
Both teams must start picking up points and more positive results, particularly for the visitors who sit bottom of the league.
Match preview
© Reuters
Chicago have had a mixed start to the season, featuring many inconsistencies with two victories, four draws, and four defeats across their opening 10 games.
It has left them sitting in 12th heading into this weekend, but considering a victory could take them as high as seventh depending on other results, there is still plenty of hope that the season can be turned around.
The hosts have been more robust at home, though, and they managed to make a point after a goalless draw against Atlanta United last weekend, which is a result the team can now build on.
The defensive improvements showcased in that particular game will have pleased Frank Klopas, considering his team has struggled defensively this season. At this stage, no team in the Eastern Conference has conceded more goals than them.
Even though Chicago have been stronger in home fixtures, they boast the worst home record when it comes to conceding goals, and that is an area that the visitors will attempt to expose in this fixture.
© Reuters
New England will need to showcase much stronger attacking qualities to make that happen though, as no team in the entire MLS has scored fewer than them so far this season.
With only six goals to their name as a squad across the opening nine games, there is a clear area for improvement for the Revs moving into this weekend.
The lack of goals has been one reason for New England’s difficult start to the campaign, and their away form has reflected that, as they have lost all four of their matches.
With only one victory at home, the Revs’ campaign has been one to forget so far. They sit bottom of the Eastern Conference and have a lot of work to do.
After a positive defensive performance last weekend, the Chicago back four is unlikely to be changed, as stability is critical.
Chicago Fire Major League Soccer form:
New England Revolution Major League Soccer form:
New England Revolution form (all competitions):
Team News
© Reuters
Andrew Gutman overcame an injury concern to feature in the goalless draw, and while he did not complete the entire game, he should be able to start once again.
Chase Gasper will continue to sit out as he recovers from a leg injury he suffered in March.
The visitors are dealing with a large number of injuries at the moment, as Jonathan Mensah, DuJuan Jones and Tommy McNamara are all out of action right now.
That is on top of Brandon Bye and Dylan Borrero who are suffering longer-term issues with ACL problems.
Xavier Arreaga did come straight into the starting lineup last weekend for the Revs, and even though they went on to concede four goals, the former Seattle Sounders defender should keep his place on the team.
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Brady; Souquet, Pineda, Czichos, Arigoni; Acosta, Herbers; Koutsias, Shaqiri, Mueller; Cuypers
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Ravas; Lima, Romney, Kessler, Spaulding; Harkes, Polster; N. Gil, C. Gil, Bajraktarevic; Vrioni
We say: Chicago Fire 1-1 New England Revolution
Neither team heads into this weekend with much confidence due to how they have started this season, and that could lead to a cautious performance from them.
While they each need to start picking up three points sooner than later, it would not be a surprise to see them play out to a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.