Prediction: Columbus Crew vs Nashville

Verdict: Columbus Crew win

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to extend on their recent flurry late on Wednesday night, Columbus will welcome Nashville to Ohio.

Columbus Crew

Starting with the hosts, last seen over the weekend putting in a rampant performance as they stormed their way to a 5-1 romp away at New England, Columbus are cruising themselves to a play-off ticket this season. Battling it out at the top of the Eastern Conference table, Wilfried Nancy’s men will simply be looking to make another statement here. Although the Crew might have been left frustrated on June 20th as they suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of Inter Miami, the former Montreal boss has seen his squad win three of their previous four MLS appearances. Likewise, laying down a real marker last week as they secured a 4-0 victory against Sporting KC in Ohio, Columbus have found quite the clinical edge in the final third. Including an action-packed 3-2 win against New York City last month, Wednesday’s hosts have notched at least a pair of goals in six of their previous eight outings.

Team News

Still dealing with an injury issue and not making a single appearance since the middle of April, veteran goalkeeper Evan Bush will not feature on Wednesday night. However, aside from the former Montreal shot-stopper, Columbus have reported a clean bill of health ahead of their return to Ohio here.

Once again finding the net away at New England last weekend and now recording six goals in his previous four MLS appearances, former Watford striker Cucho Hernandez will play a leading role. Likewise, registering nine top-flight assists since opening up the 2024 campaign, Diego Rossi will once again partner Hernandez in the final third.

Nashville

As for the visitors, eventually falling to a 2-1 defeat at home against Inter Miami last weekend, Nashville will be seeking an immediate response here. However, although the Coyotes might be sat in the driving seat to claim another play-off ticket this season, the Tennessee-based outfit have largely struggled to find much recent stability. Opening June with another 2-1 loss at the hands of New England, interim boss Rumba Munthali will be bracing himself for another stern challenge here. Mustering just a trio of victories from any of their previous eight MLS appearances – a run that stems back to May 16th – Nashville are pencilled in as a real underdog contender in midweek. It should also be highlighted, Wednesday’s guests were hit with a 2-0 defeat when they travelled to Columbus last season.

Team News

Both away at this summer’s European Championships representing the USA and Canada respectively, Nashville will once again be without the duo of Shaquell Moore and Lukas Macnaughton on Wednesday night. Likewise, dealing with a long-term muscle injury and not making a single appearance since the middle of April, Costa Rica international Randall Leal will not travel to Ohio here.

While former Nottingham Forest striker Sam Surridge might have notched just a pair of goals from any of his previous nine MLS appearances, the 25-year-old will spearhead Nashville’s charge in midweek. Left out of the USA’s squad for this summer’s Copa America, 31-year-old Walker Zimmerman will start at the back.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Columbus and Nashville last met on March 31st, Wednesday’s opponents played out an action-packed 2-2 draw at Geodis Park.
• The Crew have won six of their previous eight MLS appearances – a run that stems back to a 2-1 loss against Cincinnati on May 12th.
• Former Watford striker Cucho Hernandez has recorded six goals in just his previous four MLS appearances.
• Nashville have recorded just a trio of victories from any of their previous eight MLS appearances.
• Wednesday’s guests have also won just a pair of their first nine MLS matchups outside of Tennessee.

Conclusion

Laying down a major marker last weekend as they stormed their way to a stellar 5-1 romp against New England, Columbus will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. Finding a major clinical edge in the final third over the past few weeks, the Crew will be looking to exploit a Nashville squad that are seeking some recent stability. Eventually falling to a 2-1 defeat at home against Inter Miami on Sunday, the midweek guests are pencilled in as a major underdog in Ohio.

Verdict: Columbus Crew win

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Luckster