SportsMall previews Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between the Chicago Fire and Nashville SC, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
chicago fire AND Nashville SC They will close out the 2024 MLS regular season this weekend when they meet at Soldier Field on Saturday night.
The hosts will enter the final round at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with 30 points, while their visitors are two places and three points above them.
Competition Preview
© Imago
It has been another forgettable season for the Chicago Fire, who have just seven wins in 33 games and will finish the campaign with at least seven fewer points than last season.
With the playoffs out of reach, a win for the Fire is a huge boost as they avoid finishing the season last in the Eastern Conference and could move up two spots if New England loses to Inter Miami.
However, Chicago comes into this match on a four-match unbeaten run that includes one draw and three losses, while they have just one win in their last 11 matches in all competitions.
Last time, they suffered a painful loss to Charlotte, where they finished the game well, scoring two goals in the final 20 minutes, but still ended up on the wrong end of a 4-3 scoreline.
For Chicago, it's about preparing for next season, and they've already taken the first steps toward that as it marks their first commitment to the tournament. Greg BerhalterAppointed Director of Football and Head Coach during the international break.
© Imago
Meanwhile, the 2024 campaign will be the worst in Nashville's history as they will miss the postseason for the first time since formally joining MLS in 2020.
The Coyotes have just eight wins, nine draws and 16 losses this season, and another loss here could see them finish last in the East, as they are currently tied with the Fire at -19 on goal difference.
Avoiding defeat could keep them in 13th place, but their away record doesn't inspire much confidence, losing seven of their last eight away league games, with a 2-0 win over Atalanta Untied last month the only points. . During that period.
Without a doubt, the biggest problem for the gold boys in 2024 is their lack of offensive ability, having scored just 35 goals to date, the fewest in all of MLS this year.
still, BJ CallaghanPage cannot be completely ruled out here, as they have only lost once in their last six meetings against the Fire (W3 D2 L1), beating this rival 1-0 last month.
Chicago Fire Major League Soccer Format:
Nashville SC Major League Soccer Format:
Group messages
© Imago
Chicago will reach the end of the season without two first-team players Andrew Goodman AND Chase Casperwho were ruled out due to hamstring and leg injuries respectively.
Brian Gutierrez In the latter stages of the season, he has been operating in a more advanced role and can be a force to be reckoned with offensively. Tom BarlowCame off the bench to score in stoppage time against Charlotte.
Nashville has both players out for the final trip to the 2024 campaign Tyler Boyd (knee) and Lucas MacNaughton (ankle), at the same time Julian Keynes Doubtful because of the blows.
Sam Surridge They won against the Fire last month and should lead the way in this series. Honey Mukhtar He has accounted for nearly half of Nashville's 35 goals this season and now has eight assists and eight goals after scoring the team's only goal against NYCFC last week.
Possible opening sequence of the Chicago fire:
Brady; Souquet, Omsberg, Czichos; Dean, Acosta, Giménez, Herbers, Lassiter; Gutiérrez, Gauzías
Nashville SC Possible Starting Lineup:
Willis; Moore, Zimmerman, Maher, Lovitz; Godoi, Yasbek; Hare, Schaffelburg; Mukhtar; Surridge
We say: Chicago Fire 2-1 Nashville SC
While Nashville only needs a draw to ensure they don't finish last in the Eastern Conference this season, Chicago has avoided a loss in their last two home games, including a 2-1 win over the Red Bulls, and we believe the hosts You can stay like this. Another strong performance can be achieved before rebuilding begins for the next term.
Click here to see data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.
