Chicago Fire wrap up their three game homestand on Saturday with a match against New England Revolution.
Last weekend, New England bested Houston Dynamo at home 2-0.
Chicago Fire, meanwhile, defeated rivals Columbus Crew 1-0.
New England Revolution
This week, we should see more evidence that Coach Jay Heaps has finally settled on the positions of his front three. Lee Nguyen and Juan Agudelo have traded places a few times over the course of the season, both getting time at CAM and as the Right-sided Striker. For now, it seems as though Nguyen will act as chief playmaker. The Revs offense has looked average this season, but more consistency in player’s positions should increase their scoring rate.
Kelyn Rowe is proving versatile. A natural right winger according to transfermarkt, he has seen time as part of a 3 man midfield and at outside back. Spotting in for Chris Tierney last week, and having done a pretty decent job at the left back position, Rowe will certainly have a place in Heap’s lineup against the Fire. The only question will be where?
Predicted Starting XI
New England Revolution #NERevs predicted starting XI
— Spitting Fire (@FireEngine97) April 12, 2017
for #CHIvNE on 4/15/17 pic.twitter.com/VAoNjBPtiF
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire want to put an emphatic stamp down on this current homestand. Winning this match and taking 7 of 9 points from it will accomplish just that.
With Schweinsteiger and the boys just starting to click, it looks as if they have a potential playoff challenger on their hands for the first time in years. That’s not too early to say as this is clearly the best Chicago Fire team in the past seven years.
Juninho will slot back in after serving his suspension, and we should finally see Coach Veljko Paunovic put out his strongest possible lineup, yet.
Predicted Starting XI
Chicago Fire #cf97 predicted starting XI
— Spitting Fire (@FireEngine97) April 12, 2017
for #CHIvNE on 4/15/17 pic.twitter.com/hY7KTCTzPo
Prediction
Paunovic surprised fans last week when he employed a three man back line. We likely won’t see that this week as all of his top dogs are available. Look for the Fire to employ a 4-3-3, with an emphasis on possession, similar to Schweinsteiger’s debut match against Montreal.
The Fire have executed quite a few free kicks from close range from since Schweinsteiger has come on, and he’s looked dangerous every time he’s stepped over one. Perhaps, this is the match we see a wonderstrike from the Fußballmeister. I think Nemanja Nikolic will find the back of the net, as well.
New England’s propensity to take loads of shots has me concerned for Fire GK Jorge Bava. He doesn’t dive particularly well and the Fire have done well to limit the shots that have gotten though to him, thus far. Any amount of increased activity for Bava will surely keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Despite concerns about Bava, however, I don’t think that the Revs will win. New England Revolution are not a strong road team, having won only one away match out of their last thirteen. The Chicago Fire, meanwhile, are a tough out at home, going unbeaten in their last fifteen out of a possible sixteen games. For that reason and more, I expect a fully fit Fire squad to win.
Kickoff is at 4 pm CST.
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How to Watch
Chicago TV: CSN Plus, MLS Live \/ New England TV: CSN- NE
Chicago Radio: WRTO AM 1200 (Spanish), WRTO AM Internet Radio Livestream \/ New England Radio: 98.5 FM The Sports Hub HD2 (English), WMVX 1570 AM (Portuguese)