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The Columbus Crew will square off against the Chicago Fire on Saturday at Historic Crew Stadium in the latest round of MLS 2021 games.
Columbus Crew are coming off a 2-1 win over Toronto FC. Luis Diaz Espinoza and Gyasi Zardes scored two goals in quick succession for Columbus in the first half, while a second-half strike from Toronto's Ayo Akinola ended up acting as a consolation goal for the away side.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Fire lost their last MLS game to CF Montreal, their fifth overall this season. Mason Toye scored the only goal of the game, his 87th-minute strike proving to be the winner. Chicago find themselves in second-last position in the Eastern Conference standings as a result of that loss, having accumulated just four points from seven matches played.
Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire Head-to-Head
Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire have played 74 games between them so far. Columbus Crew have won 21 matches, while 22 games have ended in a stalemate. The Chicago Fire have managed to get the better of Columbus on 31 occasions.
The last meeting between the two sides ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw. Djordje Mihailovic and Robert Beric gave the Chicago Fire an early 2-0 lead, but second-half goals from Fatai Alashe and Gyasi Zardes rescued a point for the away side.
Columbus Crew form guide: W-W-L-L-W
Chicago Fire form guide: L-W-L-L-L
Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire Team News
Columbus Crew
Perry Kitchen and Milton Valenzuela continue to remain on the treatment table due to hamstring injuries. Kevin Molino has recovered from a muscle problem but will be limited to the bench, while Aidan Morris and Luis Diaz will miss out because of knee issues.
Injured: Perry Kitchen, Luis Diaz, Aidan Morris, Milton Valenzuela
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Chicago Fire
Stanislav Ivanov is recuperating from knee surgery, which automatically rules him out of the game. Kenneth Kronholm will be unavailable due to a knee injury. Eloy Room will be unavailable due to him being quarantined after national duty with Curacao.
Przemyslaw Frankowski and Gaston Gimenez are on international duty with Poland and Paraguay, respectively.
Injured: Stanislav Ivanov, Kenneth Kronholm
Unavailable: Eloy Room
Suspended: None
International Duty: Przemyslaw Frankowski and Gaston Gimenez
Also Read: Euro 2020: 5 players who could impress in unfamiliar positions
Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire Predicted XI
Columbus Crew Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Evan Bush; Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah, Josh Williams, Pedro Santos; Artur, Darlington Nagbe; Espinoza, Lucas Zelarayan, Alexandru Matan; Gyasi Zardes
Chicago Fire Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Bobby Shuttleworth; Boris Sekulic, Wyatt Omsberg, Francisco Calvo, Miguel Angel Navarro; Ignacio Aliseda, Alvaro Medran; Fabian Herbers, Luka Stojanovic, Brian Gutierrez; Robert Beric
Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire Prediction
Columbus Crew are the clear favorites to win Saturday's encounter on the back of their recent form and superior starting XI. The Chicago Fire have not managed to beat Columbus on their home turf since 2013, and it looks like the record will stay that way when the two sides take to the pitch at the weekend.
Prediction: Columbus Crew 2-0 Chicago Fire
