Nashville are aiming to maintain the pressure on the Eastern Conference frontrunners when they travel to New England Revolution for a midweek MLS fixture. The hosts will be keen to snap a recent poor run but face a difficult task against the in-form visitors.
The New England Revolution have endured a difficult campaign so far and are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference. They are winless in six of their last seven MLS matches and were beaten 1-0 at home by Cincinnati in their previous fixture.
Things have been tough at home for the New England Revolution as the loss to Cincinnati means they are winless in five of their last seven matches at Gillette Stadium. Caleb Porter’s men have been beaten four times in that run, with a 3-1 defeat to Chicago Fire among their results.
In contrast to New England’s struggles, Nashville have looked sharp all season. They are currently third in the Eastern Conference and are unbeaten in their last 11 matches in all competitions, claiming a 2-0 victory at Chicago Fire in their previous fixture.
The win in Chicago is part of a solid run on the road for Nashville, who have won three of their last four away matches. The one issue for Brian Callaghan’s team is a lack of discipline at the back having failed to keep a clean sheet in nine of their last 10 away matches.
How the bookies view it: Little to separate them
There is little to separate both teams among the bookies, with a win for New England Revolution priced at 13/8 by BoyleSports, who are also offering odds of 13/10 for a Nashville victory. A draw is set at odds of 12/5.
Head to head: New England on top
New England Revolution have a 4-2 advantage with five draws from 11 previous matches against Nashville. Both teams battled to a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Eyes on Surridge
Sam Surridge has 12 league goals for Nashville this season and will be the one to watch in this clash. Hany Mukhtar was also on target in the win over Chicago and both men could be backed to produce over 1.5 goals for the sixth straight game (Nashville over 1.5 goals at 23/20 with BoyleSports).
Carles Gil carries a goal threat from midfield and has scored six league goals this season. Tomas Chancalay often leads the line for New England Revolution and both men can combine to produce over 0.5 goals – valued at 2/7.
Probable line-ups
New England are without Leonardo Campana, Ignatius Ganago and Luca Langoni, who are all sidelined with injury. Chancalay should continue in attack while Gil is expected to retain his place in midfield.
Julian Gaines is the only major injury absentee for Nashville, with the defender currently nursing a thigh problem. Surridge should lead the line once again, with Mukhtar providing support.
New England Revolution: Ivacic, Ceballos, Beason, Fofana, Feingold, Yusuf, Polster, Diaz, Gil, Miller, Chancalay
Nashville: Willis, Lovitz, Palacios, Maher, Bauer, Tasgeth, Brugman, Muyl, Qasem, Mukhtar, Surridge
Anything else catch the eye?
There have been goals for both teams in four of Nashville's last five matches (BTTS YES valued at 8/13). Two of their last three matches have produced over 3.5 goals, which is priced at 2/1 by BoyleSports, who are also offering 3/4 for over 2.5 goals.
Nashville have scored first in their last four matches (Nashville to score first 10/11 with BoyleSports).
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