Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire Previews & Picks - Atlanta United and Chicago Fire to share the points in the MLS

Atlanta United look in good touch right now, with a single defeat coming from their opening eight games as they continue to battle near to the top of the Eastern Conference. 

Chicago Fire have also been fairly good, with one loss coming in their opening seven. However, they have struggled to win games consistently, meaning they sit five points below their hosts in the table. 

Matches between the pair have gone one way and then the other in recent years, with no side ever really able to dominate. Last season, the two sides played out a goalless draw when the Fire hosted, while United thumped their opponents 4-1 when they were the home side. All told, the Fire have won four of the last 10, United have won five times and there has been a single draw. 

Atlanta United managed to bounce back well from their 6-1 humbling at the hands of the Columbus Crew at the end of March, with a win over the New York Red Bulls and draws with New York City and Toronto FC seeing United take five points from a possible nine. 

While they have been far from perfect this season, they still find themselves just two points short of New England Revolution at the summit, with a win in this one taking them to the top if results go their way. 

Positively for United, they are yet to lose at home, while they have won three of their four home games. They will fancy their chances in this one as they target accelerating away from the chasing pack. 

Chicago Fire may have only lost once this season, but they have only secured two victories to go alongside their four draws. 

The 10 points they have collected means they are just seven short of the Revolution at the top, and five behind their next opponents. If the Fire had been able to score a killer goal in a few more of their draws, then they would likely be above their next opponents. 

Their last three matches have all been at home, with these games ending in a win and two draws. On the road, the Fire have won once and lost once, meaning the sample size for their time on the road is small. Perhaps this match with United will provide a more clear view of how they will do on the road this season.