- Recent form: Nashville have won 4 of their last 5 MLS 2026 games, including the last 3.
- Home record: Nashville have won 10 and drawn 1 of their 11 MLS 2026 home games.
- Away form: FC Cincinnati have won 1, drawn 5 and lost 4 of their 10 MLS 2026 away games.
Nashville have the edge
Top of the MLS 2026 heap, Nashville SC should have too much for a decent, but inconsistent, FC Cincinnati in Sunday's clash at Geodis Park, USA. The Boys in Gold are 49 points on the board from 21 games and have won 10 of their 11 home games in 2026, while the Orange and Blue are 12th on 31 points from 21.
Nashville's last two results have shown their grit and talent to grind out wins when they have to and not just rely on their superior quality. BJ Callaghan's side have pressed high, based around a 4-2-2-2 system in which they can spring quick vertical attacks when the ball turns over.
The last two games have been a 1-0 road win at New York Red Bulls and a 3-2 home win against Columbus Crew. Nashville are in the middle of a 3-game winning streak in MLS 2026 and look very likely to extend it to 4 against The Orange and Blue, who have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 5.
Surridge can make the difference
Cincinnati's setup
Pat Noonan has Cincinnati well-organised in a pragmatic 3-5-2 that presses selectively and is designed to win the ball back quickly when they do press or the opposition loses it.
Key players
Evander Ferreira has bagged 13 goals in 20 MLS 2026 games for them this season and is the live wire to watch here with four in his last 5. Sam Surridge is Nashville's main finisher with 12 goals in 15 MLS 2026 appearances, but under 2.5 goals at 2.6 looks the sharper alternative bet if Cincinnati can keep it tight and cause the Boys in Gold some problems on the break.
Odds and betting view
Nashville are favored at 1.73 ahead of Cincinnati at 4.0 and the draw at 4.1, but we feel like taking the visitors to get something out of the game at a pretty decent price. The hosts should win because they are a much better side than Cincinnati on form, home dominance and league position, but the visitors have scored 18 away goals in 10 MLS 2026 matches and still carry a counterattack threat.
Home form
Nashville have averaged 2.91 goals scored and 1.09 goals conceded at home in MLS 2026, which suggests they have controlled the game at both ends of the field, which looks likely again against a Cincinnati side with an iffy away record.
