DC United vs. Nashville SC Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 10/16/21
DC United vs Nashville SC
DC United is coming off a 2-1 loss to Orlando City in its most recent MLS fixture played on Saturday, October 2, prior to the break for international play. DC United is in a dogfight for a playoff berth, as just three points separate the fifth and ninth place clubs in the Eastern Conference standings and only the first 7 reach the postseason. DC United is currently fifth but is only three points ahead of the 9th place New York Red Bulls. On Saturday, DC United will play without Brendan Hines-Ike, Adrian Perez and Ramon Abila, while Chris Odoi-Atsem and Drew Skundrich are questionable.
Nashville SC battled to a 0-0 draw on the road against New York City FC in its most recent MLS fixture on October 2nd. Nashville is second in the Eastern Conference standings, but are likely not to catch first-place New England but must hold off the resurgent third-place Philadelphia Union and will look to take as many points as possible for the remainder of the regular season. Nashville does not have any players listed on its injury report.
DC United Fighting For Playoff Spot
With six matches remaining on the regular-season schedule, DC United is fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 12-4-12, 40 points and a +8 goal difference. DC United is unbeaten in two of its last three matches and must continue to take points from each match in order to secure a top-seven finish to reach the postseason. DC United is now within two points of fourth-place Orlando City but must continue to look in its rearview mirror with four clubs within three points.
The leading goal scorer for DC United is Ola Kamara with 17, while Paul Arriola has scored five and Yordy Reyna has four. The leader in assists is Julian Gressel with 7, while Edison Flores and Kamara each have 4. Goalkeeper Bill Hamid has appeared in 15 matches for DC United and allowed 14 goals. DC United has scored 49 goals this season for an average of 1.75 goals per match and has allowed 41 goals for an average of 1.46 goals per match.
Nashville Fighting Off Philly
Nashville is second in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with a record of 11-14-3, 47 points and a +20 goal difference. Nashville holds a two-point lead over third-place Philadelphia Union and is five points ahead of three other clubs including DC United. Nashville will be on the road Saturday against DC United and has one victory, two draws and two losses in its last five matches away from home.
Hany Mukhtar is the leading goal scorer for Nashville with 13, while C.J. Sapong has scored 10. Mukhtar is also the leader in assists with eight and Randall Leal is second with five. Joe Willis has appeared in each of Nashville's 28 matches this season and the keeper has allowed just 25 goals. Nashville has scored 46 goals in 28 matches for an average of 1.64 goals per match and has allowed just 26 goals for an average of 0.92 goals per match.
Pick: DC United +105
In the only match between these two Eastern Conference rivals this season, Nashville defeated DC United 5-2 on August 15, but that match was played in Nashville. DC United has played very well at home of late winning each of its last four matches on its home pitch and outscoring its opponents over that span 13-4. Nashville has one win, two draws and one loss over its last four on the road. However, DC United has much more incentive to win on Saturday as they attempt to secure a top 7 finish in the conference standings and five clubs are battling for the last three places.
Total: Over
Nashville has an exceptional defense allowing an average of only 0.92 goals per match but in the first meeting between these two, 7 goals were scored and although DC United lost, they scored two goals. The total has finished over the 2.5 goals per match threshold in each of DC United's last five matches and in 11 of the last 12. Nashville has seen the goal total finish over in three of the last five.