Nashville SC vs Philadelphia Union Odds: Strong Home Record Backs the Hosts

• Nashville SC are second in the Eastern Conference but are seven points adrift of leaders FC Cincinnati after playing a game more
• Philadelphia Union are dangling in sixth place in the same division but can rise up to fourth this week if things go their way
• When these two sides clashed at this venue last season, the tightly-contested encounter ended in a 1-1 draw

Nashville SC vs Philadelphia Union Odds

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Nashville SC vs Philadelphia Union Pick

• Pick: Nashville SC to win

Nashville SC vs Philadelphia Union Predictions

Nashville SC may be the favorites in this encounter, but they are not coming into this game with prolific form. The side has lost three of their last five games, including the loss against Chicago Fire FC this past weekend. Before that, they won against DC United at home after facing two back-to-back losses against CF Montreal and Columbus Crew. Before the form dipped over the last four games, Nashville SC also beat the Western Conference leaders St. Louis City 3-1.

The hosts will not be the only side concerned with their recent form. Their opponents have struggled in a similar way during the last five games. Philadelphia Union’s seven-game unbeaten streak came to an end a month ago against San Jose Earthquakes, after which they were held to a draw by Orlando City. They bounced back with a win against Inter Miami but failed to build on the momentum and lost the previous two games against Atlanta United and LA Galaxy.

This encounter will be interesting to watch because it will feature two top clubs who are not in their best form at the moment. However, a positive result could help one of them set the tone for the upcoming fixtures. Considering the key aspects, the advantage lies with Nashville SC.

Previous Meetings

After Nashville SC made their debut in the MLS in 2020, they have only faced Philadelphia Union four times. The Union have won twice, while Nashville SC have only beaten them once. That win came in the first-ever encounter between these two teams.

Philadelphia Union have visited Nashville twice and have failed to win on both occasions. They lost the first one, and the game last season ended in a 1-1 draw. Mikael Uhre scored the opener in the 66th minute before Randall Leal equalized from the spot in the 85th minute.

The two clubs also went head-to-head in the 2021 MLS Playoffs. Locked at 1-1 after extra time, the game went to penalties. Astoundingly, Hany Mukhtar, Anibal Godoy, Alex Muyl, and Walker Zimmerman failed to find the back of the net from the spot, handing the Union a 2-0 win.

Earlier that same season, during the league phase, Philadelphia Union scraped past Nashville SC 1-0, courtesy of a Kacper Przybylko penalty in the 18th minute. The only time Nashville SC beat Philadelphia Union, Charles Sapong scored the only goal of the match in the second minute.

Title Charge a Possibility for Nashville SC This Season

Nashville SC reached the playoffs last season but were eliminated by LA Galaxy in the first round. The team looks strong enough to compete in the playoffs and could also shoot for the stars by fighting for their first trophy.

However, the club has struggled against the big teams this season. They lost against New England Revolution, FC Cincinnati, and could only muster a draw against the defending champions Los Angeles FC.

Nashville SC made up for the dropped points by performing well against mediocre and lower-ranked teams. But the club has to start getting results in big games if they want to aim for the title, and they have a glorious opportunity to start that against Philadelphia Union.

Strong Home Record Backs the Hosts 

After FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew, Nashville SC have the best home record in the MLS. If they win the next game, they'll leapfrog Columbus Crew, who have won eight out of 12 home games.

As things stand, Nashville SC have won eight out of 11 games at home and drew two. Their only home loss this season came in March against league leaders FC Cincinnati. After that loss, they drew two games and are currently on a six-game winning run at the GEODIS Park.

Hany Mukhtar Eyeing the Golden Boot Again 

Thirteen of the 30 goals Nashville SC have scored this season have come from their prolific striker, Hany Mukhtar. Last season, the German striker scored 23 goals and nabbed the Golden Boot at the end of the league season.

This year, the 28-year-old has 13 goals and seven assists in 22 appearances and is the leading scorer in the MLS. The race this season is expected to be tight as Los Angeles FC winger Denis Bounga is just one behind the Nashville SC striker.

Philadelphia Union Desperate to Avoid Unwanted Record

Philadelphia Union have lost seven out of 21 games this season. The club has already surpassed their loss tally of last season, during which they lost just five out of 34 games. In addition, the Union are coming into this game after losing their last two MLS games.

So far this season, Philadelphia Union have not lost three games in a row. In March, they lost two back-to-back games against CF Montreal and Orlando City but ended that short losing streak with a draw in the third game against Sporting Kansas City.

If Nashville SC beat Philadelphia Union in the next game, the visitors will go on a three-game losing streak in the regular season for the first time in six years. In the 2017 MLS season, the Union lost four games in a row and finished eighth in the league.

The Union Could Be Vulnerable Down the Left 

Playing a 4-4-2 diamond formation has forced the Philadelphia Union full-backs to pace up and down both flanks throughout the game. Hence, they have become a pivotal part of the attack as well as defense.

Oliver Mbaizo has been decent down the right, but the main threat has come from the left via Kai Wagner. The left-back has provided two assists and scored once in 16 appearances this season. However, a hamstring injury has ruled him out of this game and dealt a major blow to the Union.

Midfielder Needs to Rediscover Lost Form

Behind Julian Carranza and Mikael Uhre, Daniel Gazdag has been responsible for the creativity in midfield. In 19 appearances, the Hungarian has scored seven goals and assisted five. However, he has only contributed one assist in the last five matches.

That solitary assist came over a month ago, as Gazdag has failed to create anything substantial. His work rate played an important part in the team’s 4-1 win over Inter Miami over two weeks ago, but his form has gone downhill since then.

How to Watch Nashville SC vs Philadelphia Union

• Teams: Nashville SC vs Philadelphia Union
• Location: GEODIS Park
• Time: Wednesday, July 12 at 8:30 pm ET
• How to watch: Univision networks TUDN and UniMas, ESPN Deportes, Telemundo and Fox Deportes