Two Eastern Conference strugglers will go head-to-head this weekend when Chicago Fire take on Columbus Crew on Sunday morning.
Chicago remain rooted to the foot of the Eastern Conference, while Columbus are languishing in the mid-table positions.
Match preview
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Hopes were high for the Fire after an impressive transfer window, yet the side from the Windy City are yet to live up to their pre-season hype.
Rooted to the foot of the Eastern Conference, those playoff ambitions continue to fade week in, week out, as Chicago chase an upturn in form.
Just two wins from their last 14 matches represents woeful form for Chicago, as their campaign looks in jeopardy of crumbling before it has even really got going.
As the lowest scorers in the conference, arresting their difficult form in front of goal will be key to an improved second half of the season for Chicago.
In similar fashion, Columbus have also endured a difficult time of it so far this season, as they start the weekend in 10th place.
The good news for Crew fans is that their side are only three points off the playoff positions as things stand, with a top-seven finish still within their reach.
Draws have been the issue for the Crew this season, as only Philadelphia Union have more stalemates than the side from Columbus.
Should the Crew find a way to convert draws into victories, their chances of rising up the table should increase exponentially.
They will have a great opportunity this weekend against the conference's lowest-ranked side, yet history suggests another stalemate could be on the horizon.
Four of their last eight meetings have finished in draws, something Columbus will want to avoid happening this weekend.
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Team News
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While their form may have been troublesome, Chicago will know a lengthy injury list has hampered their progression.
A knee injury continues to plague Kendall Burks's campaign, while ligament damage is the issue for Wyatt Omsberg – both players are expected to return before the season is over.
Chris Brady is also out of the weekend fixture with an ankle problem, as is Miguel Navarro, who is recovering from a positive COVID-19 test.
By sharp contrast, Columbus can expect a full roster of players to choose from this weekend, with the Crew entering Sunday's clash without any injury problems.
With that in mind, expect Lucas Zelarayan to start in the forward line for the Crew, with Jacen Russell-Rowe partnering the Armenian in attack.
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Slonina; Sekulic, Teran, Czichos, Bornstein; Gimenez, Navarro; Mueller, Shaqiri, Herbers; Przybylko
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Room; Mensah, Williams, Degenek; Moreira, Nagbe, Morris, Zawadzki, Santos; Russel-Rowe, Zelarrayan
We say: Chicago Fire 0-2 Columbus Crew
Granted, their league position does not suggest the best of seasons, yet Columbus are finding their feet in the Eastern Conference.
Against the lowest-ranked side in the conference, expect Columbus to cruise to a comfortable win this weekend.
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