Columbus Crew vs Nashville SC - Match Preview
- Columbus Crew and Nashville SC are tied on 27 points apiece in the USA MLS 2025, with Nashville sitting fifth and Columbus seventh after 15 games.
- Columbus Crew are unbeaten in their last two home matches (W1, D1).
- Nashville SC have won each of their two away matches, beating Orlando City SC 3-2 and Toronto FC 2-1.
Battling mid-table MLS sides
Columbus and Nashville look to be evenly matched on paper with each club taking 27 points from their first 15 games of USA MLS 2025, but it is the visitors who are currently in the upper half at fifth.
Nashville have won four and drawn one of their five MLS matches and are third in the Power Rankings after their superb unbeaten run.
They’re also on a roll on the road, taking back-to-back away wins against Orlando City SC and most recently Toronto FC. This Columbus Crew vs Nashville SC preview highlights that Nashville have won two, drawn one and lost three of their seven away matches in MLS 2025, scoring 1.17 goals per game and conceding at a rate of 1.67 per game.
Crew a tough nut to crack at home
Columbus, meanwhile, have been in mixed form with one win, three draws and one defeat in their past five MLS games, although our Columbus Crew vs Nashville SC prediction did see them win their home match with Nashville 2-0 ten months ago in MLS 2024.
They remain unbeaten in their two home games this season, however, and Wilfried Nancy’s side, who he has coached since December 2022, are known for their aggressive, possession-based style of play.
The Crew can play at pace and Max Arfsten’s energy down the wings can be a real factor when they look to transition from defence to attack quickly.
Two teams going in opposite directions
Crew are odds on at 1.77 for Thursday’s match against Nashville, who are 4.75 with the same bookmaker, so the home side are definitely the bookies’ favourites based on the current Columbus Crew vs Nashville SC odds.
But Nashville are on a much better streak of late, which may play into their favour in this midweek clash.
BJ Callaghan has been in charge since July 2024 and has made a marked improvement on the team’s performances since then, instilling a compact, defensively solid, counter-attacking system that can be adapted depending on the match scenario.
Shaq Moore has given them stability at the back and a bit of width in attack, while Sam Surridge (8 goals in 15 MLS appearances) is the perfect predator for Callaghan’s system as he can get goal from anywhere.
