Preview: Chicago Fire vs. Charlotte FC - prediction, team news, lineups

Aiming to pick up their first win in five, Chicago Fire host MLS Cup playoff hopefuls Charlotte FC at Soldier Field on Thursday morning.

The hosts are second from bottom in the Eastern Conference, while the visitors are currently in sixth as they fight for guaranteed qualification to the MLS Cup playoffs.

Match preview

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Chicago Fire come into this match in rather worrying form, failing to win in any of their last five games while scoring just a measly one goal in that time.

Hugo Cuypers managed to bring an end to his side's barren run in front of goal with a 46th-minute equaliser in the eventual 3-1 loss to St Louis last time out, after previously going four matches without hitting the net.

Just two wins and four draws from their 12 games so far have them 14th in the Eastern Conference, three points above bottom-placed New England Revolution.

Chicago Fire are only four points behind Philadelphia Union, who occupy the final MLS Cup qualification playoff place, with 14 points from 11 games, but Frank Klopas's men have played a game more than all those around them.

The Fire have been much better when playing at Soldier Field so far this campaign, picking up their only two wins at home, and they will need to make the most of that home advantage if they want to end their winless run when they host Charlotte.

The visitors have had an inconsistent start to the season under newly-appointed Dean Smith, who took over from former manager Christian Lattanzio following his failure to guide Charlotte past the wild card match to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs.

They have managed five wins and five draws from their opening 12 fixtures, but two wins from their last two outings, their first consecutive victories under the new boss, have them coming into this one in good spirits.

Charlotte have failed to pick up a victory while on the road so far, losing four of their five matches away from home, but a visit to the struggling Chicago Fire's Soldier Field could be the perfect opportunity to grab their first win away from the Bank of America Stadium.

Smith will be hoping his side can continue their recent impressive defensive performances, with his side keeping clean sheets in both of their last two games.

Team News

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Both sides are set to be without the services of no fewer than four players for this upcoming meeting.

The hosts will be without Chase Gasper with the left-back continuing his spell on the sidelines, leaving Andrew Gutman likely to retain his role in the team.

Elsewhere, Gaston Gimenez, Maren Haile-Selassie and Tobias Salquist will all also be unavailable due to leg injuries.

As for the away side, they will be without Liel Abada and Bill Tuiloma with the pair nursing thigh injuries.

Benjamin Bender (knee) and Brandon Cambridge (ankle) are also both expected to be out until later this month.

Chicago Fire possible starting lineup: Brady; Arigoni, Teran, Pineda, Gutman; Herbers, Acosta; Gutierrez, Shaqiri, Mueller; Cuypers

Charlotte FC possible starting lineup: Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Uronen; Bronico, Westwood, Diani; Dejaeghere, Agyemang, Vargas

We say: Chicago Fire 0-2 Charlotte FC

The visitors come into this game in much superior form compared to the hosts, who have failed to win in any of their last five outings, and we expect their search for victory to continue with a win for Charlotte FC here.

Chicago Fire have scored just once in their last five while the visitors have kept back-to-back clean sheets coming into this one.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.