Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

It'll be a battle of two Eastern Conference clubs as Atlanta United and Chicago Fire square off Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Atlanta will be eager to rebound from their 2-0 defeat to Toronto FC last time out, as Gonzalo Pineda's side played within themselves for the majority of the game. The Five Stripes were looking to cement themselves inside the top four of the Eastern Conference with a win, but the 2018 MLS Cup winners were unable to do so without Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis who should be back in line for a return this weekend after the March international break.

On the other side of the contest, Chicago have endured a rocky start to the 2024 season with just one win five games played that came against CF Montreal two weeks ago. Kellyn Acosta's curling effort from long range -- that was helped by the wind at Soldier Field -- saw the Crew pick up three crucial points to keep themselves off the basement of the Eastern Conference table.

Here's 90min's preview of the Five Stripes vs the Fire.

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Atlanta United team news

Gregersen will miss the next few games through injury / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta will have to make do without their top center-back in Stian Gregersen after the Norway international sustained a knee injury in the team's 2-0 triumph over Orlando City.

Gregersen underwent surgery to repair a problem in his left meniscus and should return to training in the next three to four weeks. Pineda will rely on defenders like Luis Abram, Derrick Williams and Noah Cobb in the meantime.

The Five Stripes will welcome the returns of Giakoumakis, Almada, Bartosz Slisz and Caleb Wiley to the squad following their involvements with their respective national teams. Slisz will more than likely come off the bench after playing 90 and 120 minutes for Poland as they qualified for this summer's Euros.

Atlanta United predicted lineup vs Chicago Fire (4-2-3-1): Guzan; Lennon, Williams, Abram, Wiley; Muyumba, McCarty; Lobjanidze, Almada, Silva; Giakoumakis.

Chicago Fire team news

Gutman misses out with a hamstring injury / Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Gutman won't be able to make a return to former club Atlanta as he's recovering from a hamstring injury. Wyatt Omsberg and Victoer Bezerra are both dealing with respective leg injuries and are expected to miss the game.

Xherdan Shaqiri should be good to go after suiting up for Switzerland during the international break in which he played 90 total minutes against Ireland and Denmark.

Chicago Fire predicted lineup vs Atlanta United (4-2-3-1): Brady; Arigoni, Salquist, Teran, Gasper; Acosta, Gimenez; Haile-Selassie, Shaqiri, Gutierrez; Cuypers.

Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire score prediction

With Atlanta receiving a huge boost with Giakoumakis, Almada and hopefully Wiley back in the side, the Five Stripes will be favorites to make it a perfect three-for-three at home this season. Their inconsistent defense will rear its ugly head as Shaqiri returns for the Fire to find the back of the net, but it won't be enough to propel the team to victory.

It will be another signature performance from Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Pineda's side will claim all three points against a struggling Chicago team in MLS matchday 7.