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Chicago Fire
Major League Soccer
Sep 11, 2022 at 1am UK
Toyota Park
Inter Miami

Chicago Fire
3 - 1
Inter Miami

Duran (40', 87'), Shaqiri (64')
Czichos (33'), Navarro (76')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Higuain (77' pen.)
McVey (90')

Preview: Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Chicago Fire and Inter Miami, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Chicago Fire will look to end a five-game winless run when they welcome Inter Miami to the Soldier Field on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are hoping to avoid a third consecutive defeat as they bid to get their playoff bid back on track.


Match preview

Chicago Fire boss Ezra Hendrickson on August 6, 2022© Reuters

After taking two points from their last five matches, Chicago have their work cut out if they are to reach the MLS playoffs.

Following three consecutive defeats, Saturday's hosts have gone on to play out consecutive goalless draws against New England and Columbus Crew.

As a result of their poor form, Ezra Hendrickson's side are in 13th position in the Eastern Conference, with seven points separating them from the playoff places.

With only 15 points left to play for, Chicago will need a miracle to qualify for the post-season, but at the very least they will be looking to end the season on a positive note.

However, if they are to end their winless five-game run they must improve in the final third after failing to score in each of their last four matches.

Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville on August 27, 2022© Reuters

Meanwhile, Inter Miami are in the hunt for playoff place, but their push for the top seven has hit a stumbling block in the last two games.

A five-game winless run was ended by a 3-1 defeat to New York Red Bulls before they lost once again last weekend against Columbus Crew.

Luis Diaz's second-half strike proved enough to condemn Inter Miami to a 1-0 defeat, leaving them three points adrift of the top seven.

Although Phil Neville's side sit in ninth place, they do hold the advantage of having a game in hand over FC Cincinnati who occupy the final playoff spot.

If the visitors are to record a victory on Saturday then they will need to improve away from home after only winning two of their 14 away games in the MLS this season.

Chicago Fire Major League Soccer form:
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • D

Inter Miami Major League Soccer form:
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L


Team News

Xherdan Shaqiri in action for Chicago Fire on August 27, 2022© Reuters

The hosts are unable to call upon Gaston Gimenez and Wyatt Omsberg, who are both ruled out through thigh and foot injuries respectively.

Brian Gutierrez could also be absent for Chicago after being forced off in the first half of the goalless draw against Columbus last weekend.

After featuring as a substitute in the last two games, Xherdan Shaqiri could return to the starting lineup for Saturday's contest.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Robbie Robinson and Ian Fray, who are currently sidelined with injury issues.

After serving a one-match suspension as a result of being sent off in the 3-1 defeat to New York Red Bulls, Alejandro Pozuelo could return to the Inter Miami starting XI.

Gonzalo Higuain will look to add to his nine-goal tally for the season when he features in the forward line on Saturday.

Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Slonina; Sekulic, Teran, Czichos, Navarro; Herbers, Pineda; Reynolds II, Shaqiri, Mueller; Przybylko

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Marsman; Yedlin, Lowe, Sailor, McVey, Taylor; Lassiter, Mota, Gregore; Duke, Higuain


SM words green background

We say: Chicago Fire 2-2 Inter Miami

Although Inter Miami will be desperate to claim all three points to help their playoff push, their away form this season suggests that winning on Saturday could prove difficult, and we think that the visitors will have to settle for a point.


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


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Written by
Ben Sully

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Game History

How you voted: Chicago Fire vs Inter Miami

Chicago Fire
12.5%
Draw
12.5%
Inter Miami
75.0%
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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