Sunday’s MLS action sees Atlanta United battling it out with Chicago Fire.
Our tips, poll and stats for Atlanta United v Chicago Fire can all be found here - plus the latest match odds.
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Form Guide
Atlanta United
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Atlanta United will be hoping to return to winning ways here following a 2-0 MLS losing effort in their last game against Toronto FC.
In that match, Atlanta United managed 54% possession and 8 shots at goal with 3 of them on target. Toronto FC had 20 attempts on goal with 9 on target. Tyrese Spicer (35') and Prince Osei Owusu (71') scored for Toronto FC.
Fixtures with Atlanta United have often been exciting affairs lately with plenty of scoring the rule rather than the exception. Over their past six clashes, the sum total of 22 goals have been recorded for both teams combined (at an average of 3.67 goals per game) with 12 of those accredited to Atlanta United.
Chicago Fire
LDLLWD
In the game prior to this, Chicago Fire drew 1-1 in the MLS tie with New Eng. Revolution.
In that match, Chicago Fire managed 36% possession and 9 shots on goal with 2 on target. The scorer for Chicago Fire was Hugo Cuypers (20'). New England Revolution had 13 shots at goal with 4 on target. Nacho Gil (45') scored for New Eng. Revolution.
Chicago Fire have been dangerous up front of late, scoring 9 times in their last 6 matches. Having said that, Chicago Fire have been somewhat leaky at the back, having also been scored against in 6 of those same matches. That kind of pattern isn’t assured to follow through here, though.
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Head to head
Looking over their most recent head-to-head clashes going back to 25/04/2021 shows that Atlanta United have won 3 of them and Chicago Fire 1, with the tally of drawn games being 2.
In all, 21 goals were produced between them throughout the course of those matches, with 12 of them for The Five Stripes and 9 being from Men in Red. That is an average goals per game value of 3.5.
The previous league contest featuring these clubs was MLS match day 19 on 21/05/2023 and the score finished Chicago Fire 3-3 Atlanta United.
On that day, Chicago Fire managed 45% possession and 10 shots at goal with 3 on target. Goals were scored by Maren Haile-Selassie (49') and Georgios Koutsias (89').
Atlanta United had 15 attempts on goal with 7 of them on target. Andrew Gutman (29'), Juan José Purata (42' Own goal) and Giorgos Giakoumakis (55', 64') scored.
The match was refereed by Rosendo Mendoza.
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Team News: Atlanta United
There’s just the lone fitness concern for the Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda to be concerned with due to a largely intact group of players. Stian Gregersen (Meniscus injury) won’t play.
In our view, The Five Stripes could kick off with a 3-4-3 system in the match, beginning the first half with Brad Guzan, Noah Cobb, Derrick Williams, Ronald Hernández, Brooks Lennon, Dax McCarty, Tristan Muyumba, Tyler Wolff, Saba Lobzhanidze, Jamal Thiare and Nicolas Firmino.
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Team News: Chicago Fire
With a fully injury-free group available for selection, the Chicago Fire boss Frank Klopas does not have any fitness worries whatsoever ahead of this match.
We reckon that Men in Red might play in a 4-2-3-1 lineup, starting Spencer Richey, Allan Arigoni, Tobias Salquist, Rafael Czichos, Jonathan Dean, Kellyn Acosta, Gastón Giménez, Fabian Herbers, Maren Haile-Selassie, Brian Gutierrez and Hugo Cuypers.
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Prediction
We’re of the view that Chicago Fire will likely be able to put one past this Atlanta United lineup, however it isn’t expected to be as many as they’ll concede.
We’re going for a 2-1 victory for Atlanta United after 90 minutes. We’ll have to see what happens.
Our expert partners are tipping under 3.5 goals for this match. Check out their VIP predictions here.
Victor Martins,
13:01 29/03/2024
⚽️ Team Focus:
Atlanta United
Formed: 2014
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (73,019)
Captain: Brad Guzan
Chairman: Garth Lagerwey
Manager: Gonzalo Pineda
Competitions: MLS (Parent), MLS (Eastern Conference)