New England Revolution vs. Nashville SC Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 8/4/21
New England Revolution vs. Nashville SC
The New England Revolution came up with a victory on the road Saturday as Adam Buksa scored the winner during second-half stoppage time lifting the club to a 3-2 over the New York Red Bulls. New England has won each of its last four matches. The Revolution have been led by a strong attack that has produced an average of 2.75 goals per match over the last four matches resulting in four victories. On Wednesday, New England will play without Luis Caicedo, Jon Bell, Matt Turner and Henry Kessler.
Nashville battled to a 1-1 draw on the road Saturday with Toronto FC. Nashville fell behind early when Toronto scored in the 19th minute but Robert Castellanos scored an equalizer for Nashville in the 41st minute as the club shared the spoils on the road. Nashville is unbeaten in each of its last eight matches in the MLS. During that stretch, Nashville has three clean sheets. On Wednesday, Nashville will play without Walker Zimmerman, while Anibal Godoy is questionable
New England Stretching Its Lead
New England is first at 11-3-3 with 36 points and +12 goal difference in the MLS Eastern Conference. The first-place Revolution are eight points clear of second-place Orlando City but have played one match more. New England’s scoring machine has been its strength as the Revolution have scored 33 goals this season which is first in the MLS for an average of 1.94 goals per match.
Leading the way for New England in the scoring column has been Gustavo Bou with 10 goals, while Adam Buska has scored eight. Carles Gil leads all New England players with 11 assists. New England has allowed 21 goals this season for an average of 1.24 goals per match. No. 1 goalkeeper Matt Turner will not play, therefore Brad Knighton will be in net for the Revolution. Knighton has made five appearances and allowed six goals.
Nashville Defense Its Key to Success
Nashville is third in the Eastern Conference standings at 6-9-1 with 27 points and a +1- goal difference. Nashville's back line and goalkeeper have posted clean sheets in two of the last three matches that resulted in one win and one draw and the club has allowed just 15 goals through 16 matches for an average of 0.94 goals per match. Keeper Joe Willis gave up one goal to Toronto in Saturday’s 1-1 draw and has started each of the club’s 16 matches this season.
The Nashville attack has scored 25 goals this season through their first 16 matches for an average of 1.56 goals per match. Nashville has scored 9 goals over its last four matches resulting in two wins and two draws. The leading goal scorer for Nashville is Hany Makhtar with 7 while C J Sapoing has scored five. Mukhtar is the leader in assists with four.
Pick: New England Revolution
In the third match of the season, New England was defeated by Nashville 2-0, but that match was played in Nashville and New England has played exceptionally well over the last four matches outscoring its opponents 11-4 and posting two clean sheets. Nashville has also played well and sits in third place in the Eastern Conference. However, Nashville has struggled when playing on the road, as the club has had one loss and four draws in each of its last five matches on the road, while New England has had six wins and one loss in its seven matches on its home pitch this season.
Total: Over
Full game total prediction analysis:
The total has finished over the 2.5 goals per match threshold in each of New England's last three matches and in six of the last seven. In addition, the total has finished over in three of Nashville’s last five matches. The total goals scored in each of New England's last three matches have been 5, 3 and 5. The Revolution are averaging the most goals per match of any club in the MLS at 1.94.
