- Team form: Nashville SC have been the form team in MLS 2026 with 63 points from 28 matches.
- League position: San Jose Earthquakes are ninth in the table with 46 points from 28 games.
- Head-to-head: The last 2 meetings between the teams have finished level and the last meeting in MLS 2024 was a 1-1 draw in Nashville.
Nashville’s Nashville SC are the team to beat
Nashville SC enter this Sunday's game at PayPal Park as the narrow favorites after winning three of their last five games, drawing one and losing the other. San Jose have won three and drawn two of their last five, so a very close game is expected when two of the best sides meet.
The hosts have had an impressive start to life under Bruce Arena, who took over in January 2025. They have won two of their last two home games, which is a real bonus. Arena's side have won six, drawn three and lost five of their 14 home games in MLS 2026, which isn't a dominant record, but it is decent enough.
In San Jose's favor is the fact they have failed to win their last home clash against Nashville, which means Nashville will know they have to work for this win. The Boys in Gold have won six, drawn five and lost three of their 14 away fixtures in this season, which is the kind of form that will take you deep into the play-offs.
Nashville will control the flow of the game
Tactical approaches
BJ Callaghan's side have been the best side in MLS 2026 after he took over in July 2024. He has implemented a flexible system that can morph from a 4-2-2-2 base with overloads to a 4-3-3 or a 3-2-5 build. They have scored 1.29 goals per game on the road while conceding only 0.71 per game, which makes them worthy favorites here.
San Jose will play an energetic and aggressive 4-3-3 system, which should bring a contrast of styles to the pitch that can be a chess match. Nashville have the better form and the ability to control the pace of play, which should be enough for them to edge out their hosts.
Key attackers
- Preston Judd tops San Jose's scoring charts with 15 goals in 25 appearances this term and has four to his name during their current five-game run.
- Beau Leroux has been the creator, however, with four assists in the same run of matches.
- Hany Mukhtar has picked up recently for the visitors with four of the team's 11 goals coming in the same five games.
Surridge to lead the Nashville charge
Sam Surridge is Nashville's main man in front of goal this term with 16 goals from 21 appearances, which makes the Englishman the danger man to stop on Sunday. He can fire them to a win at 1.97, but that's very low odds for a team in such good form.
A slightly better price on the hosts at 3.3 is still too short for our taste and the draw at 3.9 is also an improbable outcome. So we will take the smart alternative of Both Teams to Score at 1.42 – two good attacks will find the net in this MLS top-flight matchup.
