Seeking to snap their two-game losing streak, Chicago Fire take a trip to the TQL Stadium to square off against FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
The hosts, who are currently on a run of 12 consecutive games without defeat across all competitions, will look to keep the juggernaut rolling and secure their place in the playoffs.
Match preview
© Reuters
FC Cincinnati were denied a third consecutive victory in all competitions as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Seattle Sounders at the Lumen Field on Wednesday.
In a game where Kelyn Rowe received his marching orders, Brenner netted six minutes away from the half-hour mark to put the visitors ahead before Fredy Montero restored parity with a 58th-minute strike.
The Orange and Blue are unbeaten in each of their most recent 12 outings, picking up five wins and seven draws since a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Columbus Crew on July 18.
With 46 points from 32 matches, Cincinnati are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, four points above eighth-placed Columbus Crew just outside of the playoff qualification spot.
While Pat Noonan's side will be looking to secure a fourth home win on the trot, they have failed to win any of their last three games against Chicago Fire at the TQL Stadium, losing once and picking up two draws since 2017.
© Reuters
Chicago Fire, on the other hand, failed to find their feet as they were condemned to a disappointing 3-2 defeat by Charlotte FC when the sides squared off at the Soldier Field two Sundays ago.
After taking a two-goal lead into half time courtesy of strikes from Mauricio Pineda and Jhon Duran, the hosts imploded in the final 30 minutes of the game as a 76th-minute strike from Nuno Santos and a brace from Karol Swiderski helped the visitors turn the game on its head.
Prior to that, Erza Hendrickson's men secured a 3-1 victory over Inter Miami on September 11 which saw their five-game winless run come to an end, before suffering a 3-2 defeat away to CF Montreal three days later.
Chicago Fire have picked up nine wins, eight draws and lost 15 of their 32 games this season to collect 35 points and sit 12th in the East, seven points off seventh-placed Inter Miami in the final playoff qualification spot.
While the Fire will look to extend their unbeaten run at the TQL Stadium, they have struggled for results away from home in recent weeks, picking up two points from their last four outings since August's 3-2 win at Charlotte.
Team News
© Reuters
Cincinnati will take to the pitch without the services of Beckham Sunderland, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.
Veteran goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer has been out of action since May with an abdominal issue and the 36-year-old will play no part in this weekend's encounter.
Brandon Vazquez and Brenner have scored 31 of the Orange and Blue's 57 goals this season and we expect the duo to spearhead the attack once again, alongside Luciano Acosta who has eight goals and 12 assists to his name.
As for Chicago Fire, Hendrickson will have to cope without the duo of Gaston Gimenez and Wyatt Omsberg, who are currently recuperating from hamstring and ligament injuries respectively.
They are joined on the club's injury table by Polish forward Kacper Przybylko, who is set to sit out his fourth consecutive game after coming off with a back problem against Columbus Crew on September 3.
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Miazga, Hagglund, Murphy; Powell, Moreno, Nwobodo, Barreal; Acosta, Vazquez, Brenner
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Slonina; Sekulic, Burks, Czichos, Navarro; Pineda, Navarro; Gutierrez, Shaqiri, Mueller; Duran
We say: FC Cincinnati 2-0 Chicago Fire
With two games left to play before the end of the regular season, FC Cincinnati need one win to cement their place in the playoffs. They head into the weekend in solid form on home turf and we predict that they will make use of their home advantage to see off the floundering Chicago Fire side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
