After beating Real Salt Lake in midweek to end a run of three consecutive defeats, Austin FC will attempt to clinch consecutive victories when they face Nashville SC on Saturday for the second time this month.

The visitors, meanwhile, are looking to extend their unbeaten run to six matches as they bid to enter the playoffs in a positive run of form.

Match preview

With three games left to play in the regular season, Austin know that they are already assured of a place in the MLS playoffs.

Despite sitting in second place ahead of Wednesday's home meeting with Real Salt Lake, the hosts would have been desperate for a win after losing their previous three games.

A narrow defeat to Portland Timbers was followed by consecutive 3-0 thrashings to both Nashville and Seattle Sounders, ensuring that confidence was at a premium ahead of the midweek encounter.

However, Austin showed great character to record a 3-0 victory of their own, with Moussa Djitte scoring a second-half hat-trick to wrap up a comfortable victory.

Although top spot in the Western Conference is out of reach, a win at the weekend would seal second position if Dallas loses to San Jose Earthquakes.

Meanwhile, Nashville currently occupy fourth spot with eight points separating them from their opponents, but rather than looking up, the visitors will be looking over their shoulders.

Despite sitting six points clear of eighth-placed LA Galaxy, Nashville's place in the playoffs is still under threat after playing one game more than their fellow Western Conference side.

Gary Smith's side will certainly be confident that they can remain in the top seven in the final three games as they look to extend a five-game unbeaten run on Saturday.

They may have won four of those games by a combined 14-1 scoreline, but Nashville will head into the weekend contest disappointed that they could not claim five straight victories against the Galaxy in midweek.

Riqui Puig's late equaliser in the ninth minute of stoppage time ensured that the contest finished 1-1, although Nashville would have least been pleased to score in a 16th consecutive MLS game.

Team News

Austin are without the services of Freddy Kleemann due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, although Jhojan Valencia is available for selection after serving a one-match suspension.

After coming off the bench to score a hat-trick on Wednesday, Djitte is set to be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup.

Ethan Finlay and Jon Gallagher could also be included in the side, as Josh Wolff looks to rotate his squad following a midweek fixture.

As for the visitors, Ake Arnaud Loba is set to miss out due to a muscle injury, while Walker Zimmerman is suspended after being sent-off against the Galaxy.

Zimmerman's suspension could result in Jake Gallagher coming into the starting XI to partner Dave Romney in central defence.

The current MLS top-scorer Hany Mukhtar will provide one of Nashville's main goal threats, with the forward looking to add to his 22-goal tally.

Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver, Lima, Cascante, Gabrielsen, Gallagher; Ring, Pereira; Finlay, Driussi, Fagundez; Djitte

Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Moore, Gallagher, Romney, Lovitz; Leal, Davis, Godoy, Shaffelburg; Sapong, Mukhtar

We say: Austin FC 2-2 Nashville SC

Although Nashville won 3-0 when the two sides met at the start of the month, Austin will have home advantage in their favour this time around, and we think that the hosts will be able to hold their in-form opponents to a point.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

amp_article__494631 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 

last updated article - 2024-06-07 08:30:57: 

html db last update  - 2024-06-07 08:30:57 : 


ex  - 7200 : read : write cache and make html