Match Analysis: DC United vs Chicago Fire

In the upcoming MLS match between DC United and Chicago Fire, both teams will be looking to improve their recent performance. DC United has performed decently in recent games, securing an average of 0.8 points per match in their last 5 fixtures, with BTTS occurring in only two of these matches. However, their scoring ability has seen some consistency, particularly at home, where they haven’t failed to score in 8 consecutive matches.

Chicago Fire, on the other hand, has managed to secure 1.2 points per game on average in their last 5 matches. However, things in the attacking front haven’t been quite promising for them lately, with the team failing to score in 2 of their last 5 games. Only one of their last five fixtures has ended with BTTS, which could suggest possible changes in the team’s approach for the upcoming match.

In the teams’ previous face-offs, they have shown equal dominance, with both sides winning 10 of the 32 encounters, and 12 ending in draws. The teams’ last meeting favored DC United with a scoreline of 3-1. This season, DC United has averaged 1.43 Points Per Game in home matches, whereas Chicago Fire has averaged 0.5 Points Per Game in away fixtures.

With an average of 2.88 goals scored in their past encounters and BTTS landing 50% of the times, this game is expected to be closely contested. Both teams will need to step up their game and the one with better attacking and defensive strategies might just emerge as the winners. Based on the current form, DC United seems to have an edge going into this match, however, the result could swing either way.

Insights

• DC United’s scoring record in recent games has been promising. They’ve scored in the last 8 games in front of their own fans.
• Chicago Fire’s defense will need to be vigilant to stop DC United from scoring.
• DC United has struggled to score recently, failing to notch up goals in 2 of the last 5 games.
• Chicago Fire has also had goal-scoring troubles, failing to score in 2 of their last 5 matches.
• Both teams haven’t seen many games with both teams scoring in the last five matches: only 2 for DC United and 1 for Chicago Fire.
• Both DC United and Chicago Fire have had BTTS land in 14 out of 26 games this season which is a similarity in their performance.
• The performance trend shows that while DC United has picked up fewer points in the last five games compared to Chicago Fire, the latter has struggled in away matches, averaging 0.5 points which is less than DC United’s home average at 1.43.
• Both teams are neck and neck in their historical face offs with both winning 10 out of 32 previous meetings. With 12 matches ending a draw, it showcases a close competition.
• The last meeting saw DC United put up a strong performance beating Chicago Fire 3 – 1.
• Matches between DC United and Chicago Fire have historically been high-scoring, averaging 2.88 goals with BTTS happening 50% of the time.
• Chicago Fire will need to up their attacking game, having not scored in the last 2 matches, with a goal scoring rate of 1.23 per game this season.

Match Forecast

• There will be a high chance of DC United creating goal scoring opportunities through their elite aerial game, further amplified by Chicago Fire’s weakness in defending set pieces.
• Chicago Fire can exploit DC United’s weakness in defending against skillful players and attacks down the wings by using their strength in creating chances using through balls.
• DC United needs to be wary of their poor defending against counter attacks as Chicago Fire tends to create chances by playing with width, attacking down the right, and using through balls.
• Chicago Fire might struggle in finishing scoring chances, facing a team that excels in stealing the ball from the opposition.
• As both teams are weak in keeping possession of the ball, expect a lot of turnover.
• Chances are high for DC United to play aggressively and take a lot of shots in attempts to exploit Chicago Fire’s weakness against long shots.
• Chicago Fire might struggle in protecting their lead against a team that excels in creating long shot opportunities.
• Since both teams are weak at protecting the lead, there could be substantial shifts in goal advantages.
• DC United are likely to control the game in the opposition’s half, which could put Chicago Fire’s weak defense under more strain.
• DC United’s tendency to frequent offside could provide Chicago Fire with a respite through free-kicks, hurting DC United’s rhythm.

Match Facts

• When DC United has home advantage against Chicago Fire, the matches frequently end with a 2-0 victory for Chicago Fire, with 4 games concluding this way.
• The most recurring result between DC United and Chicago Fire, regardless of the home team, is a 1-1 draw, having happened in 8 matches.
• Of the 32 face-offs where DC United hosted, they clinched victory 14 times, shared the spoils 8 times, and Chicago Fire came out on top 10 times. The goal difference totals 53-45, favoring DC United.
• From the last 64 encounters, DC United and Chicago Fire have drawn 21 times, while each team has won 21 and 22 games respectively. The goal difference stands at 90-84 leaning towards the benefit of Chicago Fire.
• In the previous season, Chicago Fire won both games against DC United, scoring 1-0 on their home ground and 2-0 on DC United’s home field.
• Here’s an interesting fact: DC United tends to score 39% of their goals between the 76th and 90th minutes, while Chicago Fire usually score 28% of their goals between minutes 31-45.
• DC United are on a losing spree, having lost 4 consecutive matches while Chicago Fire, sadly, have a losing streak of 5 matches.
• There was one instance this season when DC United failed to score in their 12 home games in the Major League Soccer, and 5 times that Chicago Fire couldn’t net a goal in their 12 away games in the season.
• DC United’s leading scorer is Christian Benteke with 8 goals, whereas Kei Kamara tops Chicago Fire’s scoring chart with 5 goals.
• Mateusz Klich has made the most assists for DC United with 5, an achievement matched by Brian Gutierrez for Chicago Fire.
• DC United secure a win in the first half during 11% of their games, compared to Chicago Fire who manage this feat in 31% of their matches.
• The teams last clashed in a goalless draw.
• When DC United goes 1-0 up at home, they win 62% of the time. Similarly, Chicago Fire has a success rate of 71% when they take a 1-0 lead as guests.
• If DC United is trailing 1-0 at home, they have never managed to win whereas Chicago Fire manages to win 12% of their games when they are down by a goal away.
• According to Major League Soccer’s stats, Chicago Fire outperforms DC United.
• In the last five encounters, victory tilted towards Chicago Fire who won 2 games, compared to a single win for DC United with 2 games ending in a draw.
• On average, during a match, both DC United and Chicago Fire each score a single goal.
• The average number of goals scored during a match involving both teams is 2, with the first half usually producing a single goal.
• Both DC United and Chicago Fire suffered defeat in their most recent Major League Soccer game.
• When playing at home, DC United averages 1.48 goals a match while Chicago Fire scores approximately 1.55 goals when on the road.
• This season, Chicago Fire has the infamous record of having been shown the most red cards in the Major League Soccer: 5.
• Chicago Fire has let a goal in each of their previous 6 games and they are currently on a 3-match losing streak in the Major Leauge Soccer.
• Both DC United and Chicago Fire currently have a streak of 2 games without netting a goal.