There is an exciting set of mid-week fixtures in Major League Soccer as teams attempt to enhance their chances of a place in the end of season finals.
Currently sitting top of the Eastern Conference are Chicago Fire. Under the guidance of Vljeko Paunovic, Chicago Fire head into this round of fixtures with 37 points from their 18 games played, a record which sees them 2 points clear of second place Toronto FC.
Things have not been going as well for Portland Timbers of late, who welcome Chicago Fire to Providence Park on Wednesday night. Recent results have seen Portland Timbers drop off the pace at the top of the Western Conference and they come into this match in third place. With 26 points from 19 games, they start the week 5 points adrift of leaders Sporting Kansas City.
Trends show Portland Timbers have won only two of their previous eleven league games. Having started the season well, the 2015 playoff winners have struggled of late and have failed to win any of their last five matches.
However, at home they remain tough to beat and are undefeated in their last five games at Providence Park. Looking back further and trends show Portland Timbers have lost just one of their last fourteen home MLS games, a run which stretches back to last season.
Only once in their last twenty-seven home MLS matches have Portland Timbers failed to score a goal.
Chicago Fire make the trip to Portland in excellent form, having won their last four MLS games. It is now ten games without defeat in the league for Chicago Fire and they have won their last two games 4-0 at home against Orlando City and Vancouver Whitecaps.
Away from home in the MLS, Chicago Fire are undefeated in their last four, winning two and drawing two. The victories came against DC United and New England Revolution. This run of run games ended a poor spell of away games, during which Chicago Fire lost eight and drew one of nine MLS games on the road.
Chicago Fire have kept two clean sheets in their last three away MLS games and will need their strong defence in Portland.
Both Jack Barmby and Liam Ridgewell are expected to miss the match for Portland due to injury and they join Gbenga Arokoyo, Amobi Okugo and Diego Chara on the sidelines. Defender Chance Myers will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness.
Midfielder John Goossens and goalkeeper Jorge Bava join Bastian Schweinsteiger as the three players who could miss out for Chicago Fire.
Having struggled recently, this is going to be a real test for Portland Timbers in-front of their home fans. Chicago Fire are in great form and although this match could be tight given the Timbers home advantage, Chicago Fire just have the edge and could come away with a narrow one goal victory. A win in this match for Chicago Fire would be a real signal of intent for the rest of the season.