D.C. United coach Rene Weiler has warned Wednesday's meeting with the Chicago Fire will be a very different game from their first matchup of the season in March, which his team won.

D.C. sit fifth in the Eastern Conference with 16 points from 12 games, one place and one point below Chicago, albeit the Fire have played one match fewer.

Weiler's side drew 2-2 at Nashville SC on Saturday, having led 2-0 when they had Silvan Hefti sent off with 15 minutes to play. 

Warren Madrigal's double then snatched a point for in-form Nashville, though D.C. did at least escape Geodis Park with a draw.

Back on the fourth matchday of the year on March 15, D.C. won 2-1 in Chicago following a 95th-minute penalty from Tai Baribo, but Weiler warned Chicago – who are enjoying a strong campaign – will offer a real challenge next time out.

"It will be impossible to compare those games," he said. "It's a new game, and we'll prepare for it how we have always prepared, trying to get a good result at home."

Reflecting on the Nashville game, Weiler added: "It was a very good point away, but when you lead 2-0, only 15 minutes before the end, then you want to win the game. 

"In the end, it was tough with one man less. We will take this point and I'm very happy with the performance.

"Now we have two home games, so we have to go back and rest well because it will be tough with three games in a week.

"But at least we'll play two times at home, and we'll try to win the next one against Chicago."

Chicago were beaten 3-1 by the New York Red Bulls last weekend, their second straight defeat following a four-match unbeaten run.

Gregg Berhalter's side are seven points adrift of Nashville, who lead the way in the East, with the New England Revolution and Inter Miami both five points above Chicago.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Tai Baribo

Baribo leads the way for D.C. with six goals this season, and he has scored those goals from an expected goals (xG) total of 4.96.

He has scored with 33.33% of his shots in MLS this term (6/18), and from 75% of his shots on target (6/8).

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers

By scoring in Chicago's defeat to NYRB last time out, Cuypers became the first player in MLS history to score in each of his first eight appearances in a regular season.

His 11 goals this term are the most in MLS, and five of those strikes have opened the scoring. 

MATCH PREDICTION – CHICAGO FIRE WIN

Although D.C. won the last fixture between the teams, the Fire are favoured by the supercomputer to get revenge here.

Chicago have gone unbeaten in their last three away games, not losing on the road in MLS since going down to the Houston Dynamo on February 22.

Chicago have three wins from their last six league games, while D.C.'s return of six points from four homes this term is the joint-third worst in the Eastern Conference. 

Only the Philadelphia Union (two) and Inter Miami (three) have earned fewer points at home. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 32%

Chicago Fire – 42.1%

Draw – 25.9%