Nashville SC has been one of the most consistent clubs Major League Soccer (MLS) since joining the line-up as an expansion team in 2020.
They have twice reached the quarter-finals of the play-offs since then and are eager to progress even further this time around.
Nashville have gone off the boil a little in recent weeks, but they have time to regroup before the post-season action gets underway.
Stumbling at the Worst Possible Time
The team’s recent poor form hit a new low when they suffered a disappointing 1-0 home defeat against lowly Atlanta United.
MLS top scorer Sam Surridge thought he had drawn Nashville level, but his celebrations were cut short by the offside flag. He also had another effort cannon off the crossbar.
August was frustrating for BJ Callaghan’s side, although their recent slump started with a 1-0 defeat to San Diego at the end of the previous month.
A subsequent defeat against St Louis City rubbed salt into their wounds before New York City piled on their misery, extending their losing streak to three games in a row.
Nashville seemed to steady the ship by thrashing Orlando City 5-1, but the defeat against Atlanta brought them back down to earth. This dip in form could not have come at a worse time.
Callaghan’s side need to come up with a new formula to stand any chance of pulling off the mother of all upsets to win the MLS title this year.
Supporters’ Shield Looks Beyond Nashville’s Reach
Unless there is a miraculous turnaround in the final few games of the regular season, the Supporters’ Shield is probably out of Nashville’s reach.
Their chances of stringing together a perfect run-in are slim. Fixtures against FC Cincinnati (A) and Orlando (A) both have the potential to be tricky.
Nashville will round off the regular season with games against Houston Dynamo (H), CF Montreal (A) and Inter Miami (H).
Luckily for Nashville, finishing top of the pile matters little in MLS, with the eventual champions determined by the subsequent play-offs.
Knockout football is anyone’s game, so Nashville has every chance of walking away from post-season action as first-time play-off winners.
Yazbek Could be the Key to Nashville’s Hopes
Australia’s Patrick Yazbek has played a vital role for Nashville this season and he could be crucial to their hopes winning the MLS title.
His presence in the team has attracted significant attention from sports bettors in his homeland, with Nashville coming in for plenty of support in the outright market this term.
The sportsbooks listed at this source are gearing up for a massive surge in betting activity, with Yazbek’s compatriots hoping he can help the club make a deep run in the play-offs.
The 23-year-old has established himself as a fan favourite, and the odds of him making a difference in Nashville’s play-off push are relatively high.
Yazbek is the kind of midfielder that makes things happen, and his particular skillset will come in handy as Nashville look to make history during the post-season.
The Australian maestro covers plenty of ground, dictates tempo and links defence to attack. He has been described as a ‘progressive midfielder’ by Nashville general director Mike Jacobs.
If they can shake off the August blues and rediscover their early season form, the sportsbooks featured on comparison platform AustralianBettingSites could be forced to make a sizeable payout.