Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire: Preview, predictions and lineups

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.

Inter Miami vs Orlando City H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current Form (all competitions)

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…