Two potential MLS title contenders go head-to-head at the Snapdragon Stadium in California this Saturday as San Diego FC host Nashville SC.

While San Diego are running riot in their first ever competitive season, the Coyotes will be looking to go top of the Eastern Conference with a victory in the Golden State.

Match preview

San Diego’s inaugural season in the MLS is certainly going to plan, with the club not only on track for a place in the playoffs but also putting themselves in contention for the Western Conference title.

With 13 victories from 24 games to their name, Mikey Varas and his men head into this latest round of fixtures sitting top of the table.

One of the reasons for their success this season has been their ruthless attack, which has scored 47 goals – the most in their conference.

The month of June was arguably their best period this term, with the club winning all four games that month and scoring 14 goals along the way.

Trouble is, San Diego’s form has dipped since then, with the club winning just one of their last four – including a couple of defeats to Houston Dynamo and Toronto FC.

Nashville, on the other hand, appear to have put their slow start to the season behind them, with the club losing just one of their last 15 MLS matches.

Former United States interim boss Brian Joseph Callaghan is one year into his job with Nashville, yet he has already turned the Coyotes into serious title contenders.

Only FC Cincinnati have won more games in the MLS than Nashville this season, while no other team in the competition boasts a better goal difference.

The Coyotes have won seven of their last eight matches across all competitions, meaning Callaghan’s men have serious momentum under their belts as they prepare for this weekend’s trip to San Diego.

San Diego MLS form:

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Nashville MLS form:

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Nashville form (all competitions):

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Team News

San Diego head into Saturday’s match without major injury worries, meaning head coach Varas can select his strongest side.

Anders Dreyer and Chucky Lozano have enjoyed a stellar season so far, and the pair are expected to lead the attack for San Diego against Nashville.

Speaking of the Coyotes, the Eastern Conference side were boosted by the return of influential defender Walker Zimmerman last time out.

Newly signed goalkeeper Brian Schwake impressed on debut in the US Open Cup at the start of the month, but Joe Willis is expected to keep his place between the sticks for MLS matches.

English forward Sam Surridge has scored 14 goals in his last 11 matches and is expected to lead the attack against San Diego.

San Diego possible starting lineup: Sisniega; Verhoeven, Duah, Pilcher, Bombino; Tverskov, Torre, Valakari; Dreyer, Lozano, Angel

Nashville SC possible starting lineup: Willis; Najar, Zimmerman, Palacios, Lovitz; Muyl, Brugman, Tagseth; Mukhtar, Surridge, Qasem

We say: San Diego 2-2 Nashville SC

With both teams boasting impressive goal scoring records, we should be in for an entertaining encounter in California.

Nashville are in better form, but San Diego are a hard team to beat on home soil. With that in mind, we are backing a draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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