Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire: Preview, predictions and lineups
Major League Soccer
Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire: Preview, predictions and lineups
Atlanta suffered a 2-0 defeat last time out against Toronto FC
The Fire were held to a 1-1 draw vs New England Revolution last weekend
The two sides last met in a 3-3 thriller in May 2023
By Braden Chalker
6:00 AM GMT+1
It'll be a battle of two Eastern Conference clubs as Atlanta United and Chicago Fire square off Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta will be eager to rebound from their 2-0 defeat to Toronto FC last time out, as Gonzalo Pineda's side played within themselves for the majority of the game. The Five Stripes were looking to cement themselves inside the top four of the Eastern Conference with a win, but the 2018 MLS Cup winners were unable to do so without Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis who should be back in line for a return this weekend after the March international break.
On the other side of the contest, Chicago have endured a rocky start to the 2024 season with just one win five games played that came against CF Montreal two weeks ago. Kellyn Acosta's curling effort from long range -- that was helped by the wind at Soldier Field -- saw the Crew pick up three crucial points to keep themselves off the basement of the Eastern Conference table.
Here's 90min's preview of the Five Stripes vs the Fire.
What time does Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire kick-off?
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Date: Sunday 31 March
Kick-off Time: 15:30 ET / 12:30 PT / 20:30 BST
Inter Miami vs Orlando City H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Atlanta United: 2 wins
Chicago Fire: 1 win
Draws: 2
Last meeting: Chicago Fire 3-3 Atlanta United (MLS) - 20 May 2023
Current Form (all competitions)
Atlanta United
Chicago Fire
Toronto FC 2-0 Atlanta United - 23/03/2024
New England Revolution 1-1 Chicago Fire - 23/03/2024
Atlanta United 2-0 Orlando City - 17/03/2024
Chicago Fire 4-3 CF Montreal - 16/03/2024
Atlanta United 4-1 New England Revolution - 09/03/2024
Columbus Crew 2-1 Chicago Fire - 09/03/2024
Columbus Crew 1-0 Atlanta United - 24/02/2024
Chicago Fire 1-2 FC Cincinnati - 02/03/2024
Columbus Crew 4-2 Atlanta United - 12/11/2023
Philadelphia Union 2-2 Chicago Fire - 24/02/2024
How to watch Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire on TV and live stream
Country
TV channel/live stream
United Kingdom
Apple TV - MLS Season Pass
United States
Apple TV - MLS Season Pass, FOX
Canada
Apple TV +
Atlanta United team news
Gregersen will miss the next few games through injury
Gregersen will miss the next few games through injury / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta will have to make do without their top center-back in Stian Gregersen after the Norway international sustained a knee injury in the team's 2-0 triumph over Orlando City.
Gregersen underwent surgery to repair a problem in his left meniscus and should return to training in the next three to four weeks. Pineda will rely on defenders like Luis Abram, Derrick Williams and Noah Cobb in the meantime.
The Five Stripes will welcome the returns of Giakoumakis, Almada, Bartosz Slisz and Caleb Wiley to the squad following their involvements with their respective national teams. Slisz will more than likely come off the bench after playing 90 and 120 minutes for Poland as they qualified for this summer's Euros.
Atlanta United predicted lineup vs Chicago Fire
Atlanta United predicted lineup vs Chicago Fire (4-2-3-1): Guzan; Lennon, Williams, Abram, Wiley; Muyumba, McCarty; Lobjanidze, Almada, Silva; Giakoumakis.
Chicago Fire team news
Gutman misses out with a hamstring injury
Gutman misses out with a hamstring injury / Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Gutman won't be able to make a return to former club Atlanta as he's recovering from a hamstring injury. Wyatt Omsberg and Victoer Bezerra are both dealing with respective leg injuries and are expected to miss the game.
Xherdan Shaqiri should be good to go after suiting up for Switzerland during the international break in which he played 90 total minutes against Ireland and Denmark.
Chicago Fire predicted lineup vs Atlanta United
Chicago Fire predicted lineup vs Atlanta United (4-2-3-1): Brady; Arigoni, Salquist, Teran, Gasper; Acosta, Gimenez; Haile-Selassie, Shaqiri, Gutierrez; Cuypers.
Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire score prediction
With Atlanta receiving a huge boost with Giakoumakis, Almada and hopefully Wiley back in the side, the Five Stripes will be favorites to make it a perfect three-for-three at home this season. Their inconsistent defense will rear its ugly head as Shaqiri returns for the Fire to find the back of the net, but it won't be enough to propel the team to victory.
It will be another signature performance from Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Pineda's side will claim all three points against a struggling Chicago team in MLS matchday 7.
Prediction: Atlanta United 3-1 Chicago Fire
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Mohammed Kudus confirms he rejected Premier League giants for West Ham
Kudus reveals previous interest from Arsenal and Chelsea
Man Utd and Brighton also previously tracked the Ghana international
23-year-old reveals why he decided to pick West Ham after leaving Ajax
By Jude Summerfield
12:00 AM GMT
Kudus has impressed at West Ham
Kudus has impressed at West Ham / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus has claimed he rejected Arsenal and Chelsea to sign for the east London side after being impressed by their long-term vision.
Kudus has been an immediate hit at London Stadium since arriving from Ajax in a £38m move in the summer, registering 13 goals in 34 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions so far in 2023/24.
David Moyes wasn't the only manager eyeing Kudus last year. Brighton had agreed a club-record fee with the Dutch giants, while Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United were all interested in the 23-year-old Ghana international.
However, ahead of Saturday's 4-3 defeat to Newcastle at St James' Park, Kudus revealed he made a decision on instinct to sign for the Irons.
Mohammed Kudus, Michail Antonio
Kudus has an iconic celebration / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages
He told The Guardian: "I was ready to make that step after the season I had at Ajax. I'm a player who doesn't want to be in my comfort zone. I could have stayed at Ajax. I knew the league, I knew the club. But I don't want to be complacent and comfortable. I always want to challenge myself.
"All the clubs you mentioned, it's true they were in contact. But when West Ham came it moved fast and I made my decision based on speaking to people around the club, their project and how they see me as a player.
"I made the decision based on my gut feeling. That's how I make my decisions. Whatever the ramifications are, I take it upon myself."
Kudus' goal was against the Magpies on Saturday was his seventh in the Premier League so far this season, having also contributed four assists in 25 games in an exciting attack alongside Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.
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