The Bent Musket Predicts: Chicago Fire SC at New England Revolution (2nd edition)

New England’s annual summer swoon may finally be in the rearview mirror. Following a drab 1-1 home draw with Portland, the Revs rolled into the Bronx and upended undefeated home-side NYCFC on a Wednesday night. Then they traveled cross-country and earned a 1-1 draw from a tough LAFC squad last weekend.

With autumn here, can they emphatically put their summer woes behind them and notch a win over a subpar Chicago Fire club? If the playoffs are in their plans this season, the Revs absolutely need three points on Saturday at Gillette.

Results Comparison: Same Opponent/Same Venue

@NYRB: CHI - W NE - L

@VAN: CHI - L NE - D

vPOR: CHI - D NE - D

vSKC: CHI - L NE - W

vLAG: CHI - L NE - L

@MTL: CHI - L NE - L

@MIN: CHI - L NE - L

vNYCFC: CHI - W NE - D

vCLB: CHI - W NE - L

vCLB(2): CHI - D NE - n/a

vPHI: CHI - L NE - L

vATL: CHI - L NE - D

vMTL: CHI - W NE - W

@CLB: CHI - L NE - D

@OCSC: CHI - W NE - D

@PHI: CHI - L NE - L

vTFC: CHI - L NE - W

vNYRB: CHI - L NE - W

Overall: CHI 5-11-2 NE 4-7-6

Here is what the staff thinks will occur in Foxborough this weekend:

Seth: Revs 2 Fire 0

Comment: The Fire just put up five goals against Orlando City, but that’s probably because the Lions are a total disaster right now. Plus, the Revs have been better defensively in recent weeks. I’m predicting a clean sheet and two goals, which is just enough to get people hopeful for a playoff run (full disclosure: I don’t think they’ll make it).

Tony: Revs 1 Fire 0

Comment: The match in Chicago in early June was a slugfest, and I expect this one to be similar. New England has had trouble finding the back of the net recently, but they’ve been excellent at keeping it out of their own, allowing just three scores in their past four matches (three on the road).

Sean: Revs 3 Fire 1

Comment: The Revs still have somewhat of a chance to make the playoffs and they’re in the “best” form they’ve been in months (one win, one draw). Playing at home, Revs fans should be in good voice to push the team on. Given the potential of playoffs and playing at home, this game has the potential for the Revs to play their best soccer in awhile. Seeing as the Fire scored five against Orlando, their attack are in good spirits and it’ll be a challenge for the Revs to hold a clean sheet.

Summary

NE win: 3

CHI win: 0

Draw: 0

*Point allocation: Result = 3; Score (both teams) = 2; Score (one team) = 1

What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below!