Nashville SC will host Real Salt Lake in their gameweek eight MLS fixture at Geodis Park this weekend.
Off the back of successive losses, the hosts will be looking to avoid a third straight defeat, while the visitors will aim to earn consecutive victories for the first time this season.
Match preview
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After a disappointing 2024 season, when Nashville finished 13th in the Eastern Conference and 25th in the overall standings, the home side would have hoped for a better start to the 2025 MLS season.
However, the hosts lost their two opening fixtures of the campaign before claiming consecutive victories against Portland Timbers (2-0), Philadelphia Union (3-1) and CF Montreal (3-0).
Following their three-game winning streak, the Coyotes had a chance to claim four straight league victories for the first time since June 2023, but BJ Callaghan's charges fell to a 2-1 loss to Cincinnati for their second defeat of the season.
Another defeat soon followed for the Boys in Gold, suffering a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Charlotte in their last MLS outing.
Currently sitting ninth in the Eastern Conference standings with 10 points from seven fixtures, the hosts will be keen to avoid a third league defeat on the spin for the first time since July 2024.
Having claimed two wins from four fixtures at home, with the other results being a draw and a loss in the current campaign, the hosts will back themselves to get back to winning ways at the weekend.
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Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake claimed a 2-0 win over Los Angeles Galaxy to earn their third victory of the season across seven fixtures so far.
Diego Luna put the hosts ahead in the 21st minute before completing his brace five minutes later, helping Pablo Mastroeni's team avoid a third consecutive loss.
Their latest win leaves them 10th in the Western Conference standings, with nine points from seven fixtures.
Although they found the back of the net twice in their last outing, the away side still have to improve their attacking statistics, as they currently have the joint-fifth worst attack in the league with seven goals scored.
On the other end of the pitch, Mastroeni's charges have conceded 11 goals across seven matches, and up against a team that have scored 10 in their last five outings, the defence of the visiting side will be tested.
Team News
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The hosts have a long list of injured players ahead of the fixture, with the likes of Tyler Boyd and Maximus Ekk sidelined due to knee injuries, while Julian Gaines is still on the mend from a thigh problem.
Walker Zimmerman suffered a nasty head injury in his team's last MLS outing against Charlotte FC last weekend, so he is likely to be left out of the squad to play Real Salt Lake at Geodis Park.
For the visiting side, Goalkeeper Zac MacMath is still nursing a back injury, which saw him miss most of the previous campaign, so, Rafael Cabral will continue between the sticks.
Matthew Bell will not be available for the encounter at the weekend due to a hamstring problem, which has kept him out of action since the start of the season.
Alexandros Katranis was forced off in the 84th minute last time out after suffering an injury, hence, he is doubtful for this fixture.
Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Najar, Palacios, Maher, Lovitz; Brugman, Tagseth; Qasem, Mukhtar, Muyl; Surridge
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
Cabral; Vera, Glad, Junqua, Hidalgo; Ojeda, Eneli; Goncalves, Luna, Marczuk; Piol
We say: Nashville SC 1-1 Real Salt Lake
There is not a lot of difference in terms of quality between Saturday's competitors, and with the two teams on equal footing, we predict that this match will end in a 1-1 draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
