Preview:Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire - prediction, team news, lineups

Philadelphia Union will go out to right some wrongs when they clash with Chicago Fire at Subaru Park on Sunday in their latest Major League Soccer fixture.

The hosts enter this contest off the back of a 1-0 loss to New York City FC in their last league fixture, while their visitors claimed a 3-2 victory over St. Louis City.

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Match preview

Philadelphia Union will be looking to get back to winning ways after their first loss in six league games last weekend.

An Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting 74th-minute goal decided the fixture in favour of Pascal Jansen’s team, condemning the home side to their first league defeat in six matches.

While the hosts have struggled without a victory in four games away from familiar surroundings, they have gone unbeaten in 12 league fixtures at home.

And in nine of those matches, the Union have scored at least two goals, exemplifying their ruthlessness at home.

The last time they clashed, the home side ran out 1-0 victors against the Chicago Fire, and they will be aiming to make it back-to-back wins against Sunday’s opponents.

Chicago Fire, on the other hand, have found stability, claiming three victories and two draws in their last five league fixtures.

That run has been largely down to their impressive goals return, which has seen them score 10 times in that run.

Although their goals return has been impressive, the same cannot be said of their away form, having managed only one win in their last four fixtures on the road.

And in those four games, the men in red have conceded at least two goals in at least three of those four fixtures, making the possibility of a clean sheet a herculean task.

Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer form:

Philadelphia Union form (all competitions):

Chicago Fire Major League Soccer form:

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Team News

For the home side, Ian Glavinovich has been on the sidelines since April, and he remains out of contention for a place this weekend.

Jamaican Andre Blake is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, and he is expected to continue in goal on Sunday.

Malian International Kouame Rominigue, who is on loan from Cadiz, is also ruled out as a result of a lower-body injury.

However, Brian Gutierrez, Dje D'Avilla and Sergio Oregel should form a midfield triumvirate for the men in red.

Similarly, Chris Mueller is out due to a heart problem, and he is not expected to be involved on Sunday.

David Poreba has been battling a knee injury since February, and that effectively rules him out of featuring for the visiting side this weekend.

Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:

Blake; Mbaizo, Harriel, Makhanya, Wagner; Donovan, Lukic, Bueno, Bedoya; Iloski, Uhre

Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:

Brady; Gutman, Teran, Elliot, Barosso; D’Avilla, Gutierrez, Oregel; Bamba, Cuypers, Zinckernagel

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We say: Philadelphia Union 2-1 Chicago Fire

The hosts are strong playing in front of their fans, and they are likely to continue that trend, given their strong run in front of their fans.

Therefore, we are backing the Philadelphia Union to emerge 2-1 winners.

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

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