Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire Prediction, Preview and Odds-4/24/21
Atlanta battled to a nil-nil draw with Orlando City in the MLS season opener for both. Atlanta was playing on the road and United’s excellent defense has not allowed a goal over its three matches under new manager Gabriel Heinze. Heinze led Atlanta to a pair of 1-0 wins over Alajuelense during the first round of United’s Concacaf Champions League earlier in April. Atlanta was thankful that former Brazilian International Pato, who debuted for Orlando, missed an excellent scoring opportunity before going off injured late.
Chicago Fire opened its 2021 MLS campaign with a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution. The outcome was a disappointment for Chicago as the Fire took a 2-0 lead early on a Robert Beric goal in the 5th minute followed by a Luka Stojanovic goal in the 11th minute. However, Chicago gave back two quick goals in the 14th minute and 27th minute and no scoring from either side followed that the rest of the match.
Defense rules for Atlanta
Atlanta has yet to give up a goal in three matches under the tutelage of Gabriel Heinze, but will be facing a difficult challenge at home against the Chicago Fire on Saturday. Atlanta has lost each of its last two matches against the Fire, falling 5-1 in 2019 and 2-0 in 2020. However on its home pitch, Atlanta has won each of the last three against Chicago by a combined score of 8-1.
However, Atlanta has struggled dating back to last July when the MLS is Back Tournament started following the pandemic. United has just four victories in its last 22 matches over that span and has averaged a mere 0.86 goals per match over those 22 matches. In Atlanta’s opening match draw with Orlando City, 10 players for United took at least one of the club’s 11 shots, with only Emerson Hyndman taking two.
Better Work from Chicago’s Backline Needed
Through the first 11 minutes of the first half in Chicago's opening match, it appeared as though the Fire were on fire and would easily defeat New England. However, the Chicago backline gave up two goals over a 13-minute span that allowed New England to level the score and steal one point on the road. Chicago has failed to win their season opener for each of the last 12 seasons which is a record in futility in the MLS.
Robert Beric scored Chicago's opening goal in the 5th minute and of his 12 goals scored in open play during his career in the MLS each one has been off an assist with seven different players involved with a primary assist on at least one. Chicago held possession 51% of the time against New England, took 20 shots and put 7 on goal but couldn't come up with a winner over the final 63 minutes of the play.
Full game pick Chicago Fire +220
Pick Analysis:
Atlanta will make it very difficult for Chicago to score as United has not allowed a goal in each of its last three matches including two played in the Concacaf Champions League. However, Chicago will wear down the backline of Atlanta with numerous crosses into the box followed by headers or close-range shots off the boots of several of the Fire’s talented strikers and forwards. Roberti Beric will pick up another goal on Saturday for Chicago and help lead the Fire to a slight upset on the road.
Full game total prediction: Under 3
Over the last three matches played by Atlanta across all competitions, a total of two goals have been scored, with both goals by Atlanta. Chicago is coming off a match in which four goals were scored but was not facing a backline and goalkeeper as talented as Atlanta’s.
