Preview:Nashville SC vs Orlando City - prediction, team news, lineups

Nashville SC welcome Orlando City to Geodis Park on Sunday in a clash between two sides battling for top-four places in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference.

The third-placed hosts will aim to collect all three points against their fourth-placed visitors in what promises to be a crucial battle at the top end of the league.

Match preview

Nashville have enjoyed a strong campaign so far, collecting 47 points from 27 matches, with 14 wins, five draws and eight defeats placing them third in the standings.

Brian Joseph Callaghan’s men boast one of the best defensive records in the division, conceding a mere 31 goals - bettered only by New York City (30) and Philadelphia Union (26).

It is a remarkable turnaround from last season, when they finished 13th overall with just 36 points in Callaghan’s first year in charge - which highlights their growth as a team.

The Boys in Gold have scored six goals in their last five league games, though they have lost their last three.

They have also been awarded the most penalties in the division this season (11), which underlines their ability to create danger in the opposition box.

Last time out, Nashville fell to a 2-1 defeat against eighth-placed New York City - despite taking the lead through Jacob Shaffelburg in the 10th minute, they were undone by goals from Andres Perea and Alonso Martinez.

Historically, they have struggled against Orlando, winning only three of the last 10 encounters, while suffering six defeats and drawing once.

Orlando, meanwhile, will make the trip to Tennessee level on points with Nashville (47), having recorded 13 wins, eight draws and six defeats in their 27 league matches so far.

Oscar Pareja’s men sit fourth in the Eastern Conference and will be targeting an away win to leapfrog their rivals in the standings.

With seven games left to play, their campaign has been steady rather than spectacular - resembling last season when they also finished fourth, collecting 42 points from 15 wins, seven draws and 12 defeats.

The Lions have been far more dangerous in attack in recent weeks, netting 16 goals in their last five matches.

Colombian forward Luis Muriel has been particularly influential, ranking third in the league for big chances created (18) while contributing 14 goals and nine assists this season.

Orlando’s most recent outing saw them edge past Deportivo Toluca in the Leagues Cup, winning 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw to reach the semi-finals.

Nashville SC Major League Soccer form:

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Orlando City Major League Soccer form:

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Orlando City form (all competitions):

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Team News

Nashville continue to contend with several absentees, with defender Taylor Washington sidelined with a knee injury, but he is expected to return to training next month.

Tyler Boyd is recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, while Wyatt Meyer is nursing a foot problem that should see him return by mid-September.

Meanwhile, Julian Gaines has suffered another setback with a thigh issue in a stop-start campaign.

Key defender Daniel Lovitz remains doubtful after missing the last two matches, leaving Callaghan with a possible reshuffle in his backline.

For Orlando, forward Duncan McGuire is sidelined with a shoulder injury, while winger Yutaro Tsukada faces a lengthy spell out following cruciate ligament surgery, with a return expected in November.

Midfielder Wilder Cartagena has been absent since February with an Achilles tendon injury and is ruled out for the remainder of the season, further limiting Pareja’s options.

Nashville SC possible starting lineup:

Willis; Bauer, Maher, Palacios, Najar; Tagseth, Brugman; Perez, Mukhtar, Yazbek; Surridge

Orlando City possible starting lineup:

Gallese; Brekalo, Jansson, Porhallsson, Schlegel; Araujo, Atuesta; Angulo, Ojeda, Pasalic; Muriel

We say: Nashville SC 1-2 Orlando City

Nashville’s defensive strength has carried them through much of the season, but their recent dip in form and lack of cutting edge could prove costly here.

Orlando, on the other hand, are in fine attacking rhythm, and with Muriel in top form, the visitors could have just enough firepower to edge this contest.

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