Prediction: Cincinnati vs Nashville SC

Verdict: Cincinnati win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Hoping to potentially climb to the top of the Eastern Conference table in the early hours of Thursday, Cincinnati will welcome Nashville to the TQL Stadium.

Cincinnati

Starting with the hosts, making real history last season as they were crowned Eastern Conference champions, Cincinnati have enjoyed another major MLS purple patch this time around. Last seen snatching what was a pulsating 4-3 victory away at Toronto, Pat Noonan’s men should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Opening Thursday’s showdown sat just a single point adrift of leapfrogging Inter Miami, the former LA Galaxy coach has seen his squad win all of their previous seven consecutive MLS appearances. Opening May with a gritty 1-0 win away at Orlando, the Garys have continued to receive a string of plaudits since opening up the 2024 campaign. Likewise, along with winning all of their last three showdowns at the TQL Stadium by an aggregate score of 6-2, it should also be noted that Cincinnati have registered 12 points from their previous five matchups in front of their own supporters.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective injury issues, Cincinnati will once again be without the duo of Corey Baird and Jamaica international Alvas Powell in the early hours of Thursday. However, despite missing out away at Toronto last week, the Garys are hopeful that former Gent man Yuya Kubo will be able to make a return here.

Continuing to shine since being handed a first-team chance by Noonan earlier in the month and notching three goals in his previous four MLS appearances, 19-year-old Kevin Kelsy will spearhead Cincinnati’s side in midweek. Former Chelsea starlet Matt Miazaga will be joined by summer recruit Miles Robinson at the back.

Nashville SC

As for the visitors, while Nashville might have secured a welcomed 2-0 victory at home against Toronto earlier in the month, the Yellows have struggled to find any kind of stability since opening up the 2024 campaign. Last seen putting in a toothless performance as they had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Montreal, interim boss Rumba Munthali has seen his squad muster just a trio of wins from any of their first 14 MLS appearances. Facing an uphill battle in the race to secure another play-off ticket this year, Nashville have also continued to gain a reputation for their extended issues on the road. Along with failing to record a single away victory since opening up the 2024 campaign, they have also put just a single point on the board outside of Tennessee since the start of March.

Team News

Suffering another injury set-back last month, Nashville will once again be unable to call upon Costa Rica international Randall Leal here. Likewise, not making a single appearance since April 21st, the Yellows are still without the services of former Toronto defender Lukas Macnaughton in the early hours of Thursday.

Despite drawing a blank in six of his previous seven MLS appearances, former Nottingham Forest striker Sam Surridge will spearhead Nashville’s charge in midweek. Returning from a brief knock and making a second-half cameo appearance against Montreal last week, ex-Brentford starlet Drumming Yearwood could be handed a full recall.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Cincinnati and Nashville last met in MLS action in July of last year, the Garys collected a 3-1 victory at the TQL Stadium.
• Cincinnati have won all of their previous seven straight MLS appearances.
• Likewise, Thursday’s hosts have won all of their last three MLS matchups in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 6-2.
• Nashville have recorded just a trio of victories from any of their first 14 MLS appearances this season.
• The Yellows have failed to collect a single victory outside of Tennessee since opening up the 2024 campaign.

Conclusion

Opening Thursday’s showdown sat just one-point adrift of reclaiming their spot at the top of the Eastern Conference table, Cincinnati will be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Remarkably winning all of their previous seven straight MLS appearances, the Garys have also gained a reputation for their success on home soil. Likewise, securing a 3-1 romp when they welcomed Nashville to the TQL Stadium last season, we are expecting a similar home victory in midweek.

Verdict: Cincinnati win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet