New England Revolution will be seeking to end a run of three games without a win when they host the Chicago Fire at the Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
The visitors got back to winning ways in midweek in the US Open Cup, after sharing the spoils with Atlanta United last weekend in a thrilling encounter in Major League Soccer.
Match preview
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New England Revolution were comfortably beaten by Philadelphia Union last weekend, in a defeat which extends their winless run to three games across competitions.
Daniel Gazdag bagged a brace for the hosts before Julian Carranza's 88th-minute strike sealed all three points for Philly, as Bruce Arena's side failed to register a shot on target.
That defeat has seen the Revs slide down to third place in the Eastern Conference, amassing 24 points in 13 matches and Arena will want to see a response from his side after three consecutive defeats.
Getting back to winning ways is going to be crucial for New England Revolution as it could lead to them closing the gap at the top of the league table, as they now find themselves six points behind FC Cincinnati right now.
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Meanwhile, Chicago Fire got back to winning ways on Thursday, with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Austin FC in the US Open Cup round of 16, courtesy of strikes from Rafael Czichos and Kacper Przybylko and setting up a quarter-final clash with Houston Dynamo.
However, the attention turns back to Major League Soccer action this weekend where Frank Klopas's side have only won one of their last six encounters. As a result, the Men in Red remain 12th in the Eastern Conference of the MLS table, four points adrift of the last automatic playoff spot.
Last weekend saw Klopas's men share the spoils with Atlanta United in a feisty 3-3 draw which saw one player from each side given their marching orders.
Andrew Gutman gave Atlanta the lead in the 29th minute, but the sides went into the interval on level terms after Juanjo Purata put the ball in his own net.
Maren Haile-Selassie then gave Chicago the lead shortly after the restart before Giorgos Giakoumakis's brace looked to have secured all three points for Gonzalo Pineda's side. However, Georgios Koutsias rescued a draw for the Fire with an 89th-minute equaliser.
The Fire have not won away from home since they enjoyed a 3-2 victory over Inter Miami on March 25, and Klopas will be desperate to see his side put an end to this miserable run.
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Team News
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The hosts will be without Dylan Borrero after the midfielder underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL.
The Revs suffered a huge blow last weekend against Philadelphia when Carles Gil had his night cut short due to a leg injury after 35 minutes, and it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard will be fit enough for this clash.
As for the visitors, Victor Bezerra and Jonathan Dean remain unavailable through leg and ankle injuries respectively, while Federico Navarro will be suspended for this clash after his dismissal against Atlanta United last weekend.
Kei Kamara was give the nod up front against Austin in the US Open Cup, but Klopas is expected to rotate his side this weekend, which could see Kacper Przybylko lead the attack on Sunday.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Bye, Farrell, Romney, Jones; Polster, Blessing, Bajraktarevic, Buck, Boateng; Wood
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Brady; Navarro, Czichos, Pineda, Souquet; Gimenez, Herbers; Gutierrez, Shaqiri, Haile-Selassie; Przybylko
We say: New England Revolution 2-0 Chicago Fire
Despite their recent form, New England Revolution have been one of the most dominant teams in the Eastern Conference this season.
Chicago have struggled on the road in recent weeks, so we think that the Revs will put an end to their winless streak here.
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