Nashville vs. LAFC: Prediction & Player Props

Nashville SC and Los Angeles FC bring the penultimate round of MLS action before the break for the FIFA World Cup to a close in a high-profile showdown on Sunday night.

Both teams are looking to lift themselves again after busy recent schedules but they remain MLS Cup contenders, with Nashville leading the Eastern Conference heading into the weekend matches while LAFC were fifth in the Western Conference and still in touch with the top teams.

Nashville won 3-0 against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in their latest outing, while LAFC suffered a second straight MLS loss when beaten 2-1 at St Louis City.

Nashville SC vs. LAFC betting picks and predictions

Nashville ML (+115)

Nashville SC are enjoying their best ever season in MLS and can stay on top of the Eastern Conference standings with a home win over LAFC at Geodis Park on Sunday night.

The team from Tennessee have never finished higher than third in the conference in their first six MLS seasons, or advanced further than the quarter-finals in the playoffs, but they should be feeling confident about improving on both of those achievements.

Nashville has eight wins, three ties and only one loss in 12 MLS matches this season and that 1-0 defeat to the Chicago Fire was more than a month ago now.

The Coyotes have taken four points from two games since being eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup by Mexican side UANL, drawing 2-2 with DC United thanks to two late goals by substitute Warren Madrigal before beating the New England Revolution 3-0 with Madrigal again on the scoresheet along with a double strike from Bryan Acosta.

The shutout win would have been welcome as Nashville's success has been based on a strong defense this season with only eight goals allowed in 12 league matches.

The hosts may be catching their opponents at the right time, too. The LA franchise are two-time winners of the Supporters' Shield and lifted the MLS Cup in 2022 and the US Open Cup in 2024, but they have hit a rocky spell in recent matches.

LAFC also went out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, but with a heavy 4-0 second-leg loss to Toluca, and they have followed that with a 4-1 home defeat by Houston Dynamo and a 2-1 road loss to St Louis City.

The Californian club has won only six of 13 league games this season and could find taking on fast-starting Nashville too tough.

Under 2.5 goals (+100)

The MLS is a high-scoring league by soccer standards but there are grounds for expecting a tight contest in Tennessee on Sunday night.

Nashville's defense has played a starring role this season and they have now had four shutout wins in the league.

LAFC have not scored more than one goal in any of their last three games and Nashville is not the opponent anyone would choose when they need to try to get their offense going.

Cristian Espinoza to score or assist (+100)

Nashville have achieved some of their recent positive results despite the absence of top scorer Sam Surridge due to hamstring and back injuries.

The tall English striker has been out of action since scoring twice in a 4-2 win over Charlotte three weeks ago but even if he doesn't make it back for this match, the club has plenty of offensive options.

Young forward Warren Madrigal has stepped up with three goals in the last two games to take his MLS tally to five, while Hany Mukhtar and Cristian Espinoza have three each.

Argentinian winger Espinoza played a key role for the team in their midweek win over New England, supplying assists for both of the team's goals and taking his record for the season to seven assists in 12 games.

He looks well worth backing to either score or assist a goal against LAFC.

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Nashville SC vs. LAFC odds

Nashville SC	+115
Tie	+250
LAFC	+230

Nashville SC vs. LAFC player props

Anytime goalscorer

Sam Surridge (Nashville SC)	-120
Denis Bouanga (LAFC)	+137
Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)	+175
Heung-Min Son (LAFC)	+187
Warren Madrigal (Nashville SC)	+187
Woobens Pacius (Nashville SC)	+200

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.