The Columbus Crew host the Chicago Fire today. Scheduled start is 7:30 PM EST (6:30 Central). Looks like temps will be high 60s and the field a little damp by the time this one kicks off.
GAME NOTES
CLB: Won 4 of last 6 at home
CLB: Low scoring, 7 GF only 3 GA in last 6
CLB: Lineup should match last week
CHI: 5 pts from last 6 on the road
CHI: Sit in 5th playoff spot
CHI: Have been Crew 3x already this year (2 MLS, 1 USOC)
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PREDICTIONS
(in no particular order)
1. WV HOOLIGAN ... DRAW
"I think a draw seems most fitting with these two squads with the way they’re both playing at the moment," says Drew Epperley. One all by the end.
2. WIN DRAW WIN ... CREW
The sports betting aggregate site likes the Crew this week. We've got a 1-0 Home Stake and a 'Your Vote' pick leaning Columbus (46%) but followed closely by a Draw (37%).
3. TABLE POSITION ... FIRE
4. MASSIVE REPORT ... CREW
Patrick Guldan believes that, "The first goal will be a little more important as the Crew will have to chase the game if they fall behind." He see's this as a 1-0 Crew victory.
5. GOAL.COM ... FIRE (EVEN)
For the first time this year we get Ives Galarcep writing up the summary. He doesn't outright pick the Fire but he does spend most of the time talking them up. "...Chicago will try to have Arevalo-Rios and Jeff Larentowicz limit Higuain's touches and space. The Fire also have the players to neutralize the Crew's set-piece threat." He also mentions that Mike Magee is having an MVP like year. On the 'reader picks' portion we see a draw.
6. BET365 ... CREW
This is more of a 'lean' toward the Home team this week, which is what is reflected over at Win Draw Win. 7/5 Crew, 9/4 Draw and 19/10 Chicago. Most likely result is 1-1 (X).
7. HOME TEAM ... CREW
8. MLSSOCCER.COM ... DRAW
Even here with three on the Pick 'Em panel going draw, two Fire and one Crew (most accurate man, Matt Doyle).
9. WHOSCORED.COM ... DRAW
Graham Ruthven likes this a 1-1 as well, saying; "The Fire should be motivated as they arrive at Crew Stadium, but the hosts' front three can trouble any team in MLS."
10. COLUMBUS DISPATCH ... CREW
Man on the beat Adam Jardy thinks the "Crew is due" against Chicago based on previous results not quite bouncing the Crew way.
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MY THOUGHTS ON THE GAME
It's been a long, long journey for the Chicago Fire to get to this point in the 5th and final playoff spot. They were practically left for dead after only the first couple months of the season.
In fact, it was probably the ugly win the got against a visiting Crew back late April that finally got their season going the right way.
With these teams meeting so many times this year (4 if you count the reserve match) you have to figure we won't see much different out there today. That is: a choppy midfield scrum.
Chicago knows full well that Federico Higuain is the key to this team getting goals.
1. Set pieces (the Crew lifeblood this year, which the Fire has the height to defend)
2. Higuain's movement in the middle (where the Fire know how to jam it up).
It's these two simple things that the Fire do well that has beaten the 2013 Crew.
It would be impressive if Brian Bliss pulls Dominic Oduro out of the midfield and places a competent mid player in his spot. That would help free things up a little bit but I fully expect that this weeks lineup will be the same as last.
Fire probably know that as well. In fact, all Crew opposition know that pattern which is why the Crew have only won back to back games once this year.
Should be a great atmosphere at Crew Stadium tonight. Enjoy the game.
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