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Chicago Fire take on FC Cincinnati at Soldier Field on Wednesday in the latest round of MLS 2021 matches.
Both sides have had an indifferent start to their MLS 2021 campaign. The Chicago Fire are 13th in the Eastern Conference with a tally of four points from eight matches. Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati are rooted to the bottom of the standings with four points from seven games.
The Chicago Fire are coming off a 2-0 away loss against the Columbus Crew. Gyasi Zardes scored a brace for Columbus and the Fire were unable to answer back.
Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati succumbed to a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Colorado Rapids in their last league game. Diego Rubio and Jonathan Lewis got their names on the scoresheet for the visitors.
Chicago Fire vs FC Cincinnati Head-to-Head
Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati have played five games against each other so far. Both teams have won a game each, while five matches ended in draws.
The two MLS sides last met in September 2020, in a game which ended 0-0.
Chicago Fire form guide: L-L-W-L-L
FC Cincinnati form guide: L-L-W-L-L
Also Read: David James column - Top 5 favorites to win Euro 2020
Chicago Fire vs FC Cincinnati Team News
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire will be without the services of Przemyslaw Frankowski and Gaston Gimenez, who are on international duty with Poland and Paraguay respectively.
Kenneth Kronholm is sidelined with a knee injury, while Stanislav Ivanov continues his rehab following surgery on his knee.
Injured: Stanislav Ivanov, Kenneth Kronholm
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
International Duty: Przemyslaw Frankowski and Gaston Gimenez
Cincinnati FC
Maikel Van der Werff remains out with a groin problem. Gustavo Vallecilla is in line to start after finding a solution to his visa issues.
Franko Kovacevic returned to the fold in Cincinnati FC's last outing following a recovery from a muscle injury.
Injured: Maikel Van der Werff
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Chicago Fire vs FC Cincinnati Predicted XI
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
FC Cincinnati Predicted XI (5-3-2): Kenneth Vermeer (GK); Ronald Matarrita, Gustavo Vallecilla, Geoff Cameron, Caleb Stanko, Joseph-Claude Gyau; Luciano Acosta, Yuya Kubo, Allan Cruz; Brenner da Silva, Jurgen Locadia
Chicago Fire vs FC Cincinnati Prediction
Both teams are going through a terrible spell of form, but the strength of Chicago Fire's starting XI makes them favorites going into Wednesday's clash.
We predict a win for the hosts by a slim margin.
Prediction: Chicago Fire 1-0 FC Cincinnati
Also Read: Paul Merson's column - 5 surprise packages of the tournament so far
