Preview

Lineups

Match Stats

Player Stats

 

Sports Mole previews Monday's Major League Soccer clash between Nashville SC and Austin FC, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Nashville SC play host to Austin FC on Sunday evening looking to extend their unbeaten MLS record to six matches.

While Nashville are in eighth position in the Eastern Conference, Austin are down in 10th spot in the Western Conference after two consecutive defeats.

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Match preview

On the back of four draws in five fixtures, Nashville head coach Gary Smith will naturally have mixed feelings regarding the progress of his side.

Nevertheless, his club are one of just three teams to remain unbeaten in the MLS, something which should only be perceived as a positive at this stage of the campaign.

Also possessing a game in hand, Nashville can make quick headway into the top four, and the momentum is with them after posting three clean sheets in succession.

The goalless draw at Real Salt Lake was a solid result after inflicting the first defeat on Eastern Conference leaders New England Revolution in their previous outing.

Randall Leal has emerged as Nashville's key man during the opening five fixtures, contributing one goal and two assists.

Opponents Austin would have been realistic about their expectations when they were preparing for their first-ever year in the MLS.

However, there will still be disappointment within their ranks having collected just six points from five games, their latest two encounters ending in defeat.

Perspective will be taken from each of their fixtures taking place away from home, but they have failed to build on their promising start.

Aside from their 11-minute goal glut against Colorado Rapids on matchday two, The Greens have struggled in front of goal with just two strikes coming in their last 253 minutes.

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Team News

Smith could stick with the same Nashville XI which extended their unbeaten streak last weekend.

Jhonder Cadiz, the team's top goalscorer with two strikes, is an alternative to Dominique Badji in the final third.

Josh Wolff will make at least one alteration to his Austin starting lineup with Alex Ring having served his suspension.

Daniel Pereira is likely to drop back down to the substitutes' bench, while Rodney Redes is pushing for a recall on the flank at the expense of Jared Stroud.

Ben Sweat, Aaron Schoenfeld and Ulises Segura all face lengthy periods on the sidelines through injury.

Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Johnston, Romney, Zimmerman, Lovitz; Godoy, McCarty; Muyl, Sapong, Leal; Cadiz

Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Lima, Romana, Besler, Kolmanic; Pochettino, Fagundez, Ring; Redes, Hoesen, Dominguez

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We say: Nashville SC 2-1 Austin FC

While Austin have recorded more wins than their opponents, there is currently a vulnerability about the newcomers. At a time when Nashville must push for victories over avoiding defeat, we are backing the home team to edge this one by the odd goal in three.

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