Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC Prediction: Orlando ain't no saint, but trust them here!

This would be an interesting MLS encounter between Orlando City SC and Nashville SC, considering the teams' recent fortunes and ambitions. Both clubs reach an important period of the season wherein a positive result in this match could heavily influence their aspirations in the playoffs.

Orlando City SC enters this match on the back of their disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Sporting Kansas City, which snapped a decent run of only one loss in five games-1 win and three draws. Despite the recent setback, Orlando has been resilient all through the season, maintaining competitiveness in the Eastern Conference. Currently placed 7th, this team is one place away from a solid playoff spot, so this match is pushing it to the verge.

Orlando has been pretty strong at home, and that will be a big factor. How well the team does at Exploria Stadium might prove to be the deciding factor against a struggling Nashville side.

Orlando does indeed have a good head-to-head against Nashville, coming out victorious 6 times out of 13 encounters, and convincingly winning 3-0 in the last encounter. This might give them that edge of psychological advantage in their approach to the game.

Orlando places reasonably in the table, though they do have a bit of inconsistent form in the last five games, where they have managed to pick up a single win. Their hot-and-cold attack needs to step it up if they are to capitalize on Nashville's vulnerabilities.

Nashville SC will be coming into this match desperately seeking to pocket the three points after failing to do so in the last five matches, losing four and drawing one. Their last result at home was a 2-0 loss against Austin FC, meaning their poor form continues to see new light. Probably the posted performance of Nashville is not impressive this season, as they are placed 14th in the Eastern Conference. This game is almost a potential turning point for them, but the current form they are in does not augur well for much hope.

This often results in acts of desperation by the teams with such bad form, and they end up playing with nothing to lose. Knowing very well that they desperately need these points to somehow keep their slim playoff hopes alive, Nashville might be more aggressive this time.

They have been poor of late, but Nashville has shown in flashes that they could be a defensively sound team. If they could reclaim any of that defensive organization, they might manage to frustrate Orlando.

Especially on the road, Nashville has struggled. They are still searching for an away win, making a trip to Orlando especially difficult. Nashville has had one of the weakest attacks in the league, and with Orlando having a relatively good defense setup, they may find it challenging to find the mark.

Orlando has a good head-to-head record against Nashville, with six wins in 13 matches and, most importantly, with a comprehensive victory by a 3-0 margin in the last outing. The difference in psychological advantage due to this victory might have its say in their approach to this match.

It's very likely that Orlando will take the initiative from the start; all elements are on the local side of their benefit. Most probably, they will dominate in making decisions and conduct the game, especially in the opening minutes in which Orlando will create problems for Nashville through their ball possession and pressure. The key for them will be the wide and attacking midfielders.

Nashville, on the other hand, might win to get a little conservative in their play and try to be compact on defense with the counter against the driving forces in Orlando. They may look to exploit set-play chances and spring from defense to attack with individual instances of brilliance.

With the current form of both teams and the fact that Orlando plays in this tie at home, Orlando City SC is to be considered favorites for the three points. Nashville has not really done well, especially away from home, to be positive about, and given Orlando has been strong at home and their better head-to-head record, it seems that Orlando is most likely set to take all three points.

• Home Win and Under 4.5 Goals at 1.79 Odds
• Home Win or Draw and Under 3.5 Goals at 1.79 Odds
• Correct Score 2:0 at 8.00 Odds