On the back of an upturn in form, Chicago Fire will aim to break into the playoff places in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference on Saturday, when they take on Atlanta United.
Three consecutive victories have seen the hosts move within two points of the top seven, while their visitors find themselves two points worse off in 12th spot.
Match preview
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After a tough start to the MLS season, in which they failed to establish any spells of consistency, with a ten-game winless run being a particular low point, Chicago Fire sat well outside the playoff places in the Eastern Conference with just 17 points from their opening 19 outings.
Needing a turn in form to keep any hopes of progressing to the playoffs alive, Ezra Hendrickson's side were able to post an important 2-0 win over Toronto earlier in July, thanks to an early brace from Jhon Duran.
The Illinois outfit followed that up with a 1-0 home triumph against Seattle Sounders, with Rafael Czichos hitting the only goal of the game, before travelling to Vancouver Whitecaps in their search for a third straight MLS three-point haul.
The scores were tied heading into the final 15 minutes, as Xherdan Shaqiri's early opener was cancelled out by Lucas Cavallini, but Czichos would restore Chicago's lead before Chris Mueller wrapped up the victory by scoring his side's third in the dying minutes.
Having now climbed within touching distance of the playoff places thanks to their upturn in form, Hendrickson's men will look to make it four league wins on the bounce for the first time in over five years with the chance to leapfrog Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati and move into seventh in the division.
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They take on an Atlanta United side keen for a turnaround of their own, having now dropped to 12th place in the Eastern Conference.
After a mixed start to the season produced 21 points from 15 outings, the visitors have now managed to put up just one win and five points in their last seven league games.
That victory came against Real Salt Lake after three defeats and a draw, as Ronaldo Cisneros's brace made the difference in a 2-1 win, before the Five Stripes held Orlando City to a draw on home turf with Juan Sanchez Purata hitting the equaliser in the final 20 minutes.
Looking to kickstart a climb on the back of those two results, Gonzalo Pineda's side travelled to take on Los Angeles Galaxy last time out, but they fell short and left empty-handed as Kevin Cabral and Dejan Joveljic hit goals in the seventh and 96th minutes respectively to seal a 2-0 home win.
Now finding themselves four points off the top seven with several sides in between looking competitive in the playoff race, Atlanta United will be keen to keep themselves in the fight and put up a much-needed win on Saturday to avoid being left behind.
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Team News
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After scoring a third straight MLS win last time out, Chicago Fire could come into Saturday's contest with an unchanged starting XI, with Jhon Duran again set to lead the line.
Xherdan Shaqiri will feature in the attacking areas with confidence after hitting a fourth league goal of the season last time out, while winger Chris Mueller also added to his tally in the win over Vancouver Whitecaps.
Mauricio Pineda and Federico Navarro will likely operate at the base of midfield, with Carlos Teran partnering up alongside Rafael Czichos in defence.
Atlanta United will remain without goalkeeper Brad Guzan due to an injury, while the likes of Miles Robinson, Brooks Lennon and Andrew Gutman are also sidelined, limiting options in defence.
Ronaldo Cisneros should continue to feature in attack, having netted six league goals so far this season, while Josef Martinez, who has scored 107 times for the club in 146 appearances, including five league strikes this term, will be hoping to break back into the starting XI.
Dom Dwyer has also impressed in the front line at points and will be hoping to feature from the outset, while Matheus Rossetto and Marcelino Moreno are bound to play again in midfield.
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Slonina; Sekulic, Teran, Czichos, M Navarro; F Navarro, Pineda; Mueller, Shaqiri, Gutierrez; Duran
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Rios Novo; McFadden, Franco, Campbell, Wiley; Moreno, Rossetto; Martinez, Araujo; Dwyer, Cisneros
We say: Chicago Fire 2-1 Atlanta United
While the visitors will arrive desperate for a victory and have the tools to harm Chicago Fire if Pineda fields more of his attacking stars, we do not see the hosts being derailed given their form.
Hendrickson's men find themselves on a high with plenty of momentum, and we back them to continue their charge towards the playoffs with a fourth straight triumph.
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Top tip
Sam Varley
