FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

It’s back to the MLS we go for a FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview penned by Matthew O’Regan. The hosts are looking to leapfrog their star-studded Inter Miami counterparts at the top of the table, while the visitors ready themselves for an assault on the playoff conversation. 

• FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Tip 1: FC Cincinnati to Win
• FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Tip 2: Luciano Acosta to Score
• FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Tip 3: Anibal Godoy to be Booked

FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Prediction 1: Untouchable Cinci

USA, MLS , Thursday, May 30 00:30 (UK)

Despite a star-studded Inter Miami side making all the headlines in the MLS, FC Cincinnati are keeping pace with the galacticos, sitting just one point behind Gerardo Martino’s side, with the luxury of a game in hand. 

Pat Noonan’s side are on 33 points from 15 games, having won their last seven games in a row. The Orange and Blue have shown they have the ability to win in any way necessary. The 1-0 wins over Florida sides Atlanta and Orlando showed their gritty resilience, while the recent 3-1 and 4-3 victories over St. Louis City and Toronto showcase their pure attacking potency. 

It is a team stacked with star power in attack and real solidity in defence, making them incredibly hard to beat. 

They host a Nashville SC team who are sat in 11th in a 15-team Eastern Conference. After a disappointing start to the season, Gary Smith was dismissed as head coach, with his last game coming in the 2-0 victory over Toronto. Since then, interim manager Rumba Munthali has steadied the ship, drawing 1-1 and 0-0 at home to Atlanta and away to Montreal, respectively. 

The Coyotes have struggled massively on the road, scoring just twice, conceding ten times and failing to pick up a win in five. This record is unlikely to improve as they travel to face an FC Cincinnati side with seven straight wins. 

• FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Prediction 1: FC Cincinnati To Win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.70
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Prediction 2: Accurate Acosta

Despite star striker Aaron Salem Boupendza struggling for form and fitness this season, Cinci have coped well, with Luciano Acosta stepping up to the mark. 

The Argentine is excelling in the ‘10’ role, laying on nine assists and seven goals in 14 starts. He is averaging 0.50 goals per 90 from 2.62 shots and 1.13 shots on target. Despite blanking in the 4-3 win in Canada over Toronto, the 29-year-old was a livewire throughout. 

This game was only his third league start without a goal contribution, highlighting his importance to The Garys attack. 

Last season, Acosta boasted 19 goals and 12 assists in 36 league games, beating the previous campaigns total of 11 and 13. This year, the Argentine is well on course to break his previous records and a goal at home to an out-of-sorts Nashville side who have kept just one clean sheet on the road all season will be seen as the perfect opportunity to add to his ever-growing goal tally. 

• FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Prediction 2:Luciano Acosta to Score (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.62
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Prediction 3: Godoy is not a good-boy

Last season, Nashville SC were difficult to beat, conceding just 32 goals – the joint fewest in the MLS. A major reason for this was their rigid formation, preferring to pack out the midfield. A pivotal figure in this shape is Anibal Godoy. 

The Panama international is a tenacious midfielder with 134 caps for his national team. His willingness to get stuck in to tackles makes him popular at every club he’s been at but also sees him find his way into the referees notebook more often than not. 

The 34-year-old has been booked four times in ten starts this season, averaging 0.41 yellows per 90. This is line with his all-time MLS average which stands at 0.36 yellows per 90. 

Godoy is also averaging 1.55 fouls per 90 this year, while also picking up a booking in the last match with Montreal.

FC Cinicinnati are drawing an average of 2.66 cards per game. On top of this, in their 15 league games, 14 centre midfielders have been shown a yellow card against them, including both of Toronto’s in their last game. 

• FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Prediction 3: Anibal Godoy to be Booked
• Best Odds: 2.60
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Prediction odds via bet365 as at 11:00 March 28th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Team News and Possible Lineups: Boupendza a big miss

Clinical striker Aaron Boupendza has been hampered by injuries this year, only being fit enough for 511 of a possible 1,350 thus far. He scored five goals from eight starts after joining mid-way through last season. 

He is joined on the injury table by striker partners Corey Baird and Yuya Kubo, as well as wing-back Alvas Powell. Sergio Santos is likely to get the nod up front after scoring off the bench against Toronto. 

Nashville are without backup striker Orrin McKinze Gaines, winger Randall Leal and centre back Lukas MacNaughton.

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Robinson, Miazga, Murphy; Orellano, Nwobodo, Bucha, Halsey; Acosta, Kelsy, Santos

Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Moore, Zimmerman, Maher, Lovitz; Boyd, Godoy, Davis, Shaffelburg; Mukhtar, Surridge

Match Stats: Dominant Cinci

• Cincinnati’s 14 goals conceded is the second fewest in the Eastern Conference
• Nashville’s 2 away points this season is the fewest in the Easter Conference
• Two of the last six meetings have seen Nashville win 6-3
• Cinci did the league double over Nashville last year

FC Cincinnati Fixtures: Cinci looking to leapfrog Miami

• Vs Nashville Sc (H)
• Vs San Jose Earthquakes (A)
• Vs Philadelphia Union (H)
• Vs New England Revs (H)
• Vs FC Dallas (A)

Nashville SC Fixtures: Nashville pushing for playoffs

• Vs FC Cincinnati (A)
• Vs New England Revs (H)
• Vs New York Red Bulls (A)
• Vs Toronto FC (A)
• Vs New York City (H)

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