Seeking to pick up a fifth win on the bounce in the MLS, Nashville SC go head to head with Los Angeles Galaxy at the GEODIS Park on Saturday.
The visitors, who are currently on a run of two consecutive draws, will head into the weekend looking to return to winning ways and move into the playoffs places.
Match preview
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Nashville continue to strengthen their claim for a place in the playoffs as they cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Austin FC when the sides squared off last Sunday.
Following a drab first half at the GEODIS Park, the game sparked into life four minutes after the restart when Walker Zimmerman broke the deadlock before Hany Mukhtar scored a brace to continue his red-hot form in front of goal.
Gary Smith's men have now won each of their last four games, scoring an impressive 14 goals and keeping three clean sheets since a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Minnesota United on August 15.
Nashville have picked up 12 wins, nine draws and lost nine of their 30 games so far to collect 45 points and sit fourth in the Western Conference standings as the regular season enters into its final knockings.
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Elsewhere, Los Angeles Galaxy were held to a second consecutive share of the spoils as they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Sporting Kansas City at the Dignity Health Sports Park last Monday.
With the scores level heading into the final minutes of stoppage time, veteran striker Javier Hernandez, who was on a hat-trick, stepped up to take a 97th-minute penalty only to be denied by John Pulskamp in goal for the Wizards.
Greg Vanney's men are currently unbeaten in each of their last five games, picking up two wins and three draws since a 4-2 defeat against Sporting Kansas City at the Children's Mercy Park on August 7.
With 39 points from 28 games, Los Angeles Galaxy are currently eighth in the Western Conference table, three points off Portland Timbers in the final playoff spot albeit with two games in hand.
While the Galaxy will be looking to move into the playoffs places this weekend, they have struggled to get going away from home, where they have managed just one win in their last seven games since May, losing four and claiming two draws in that time.
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Team News
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Nashville will have to make do with the absence of 24-year-old forward Ake Arnaud Loba, who has been out of action since July through a muscle injury.
Teal Bunbury returned from a four-game injury layoff as he made a 13-minute cameo at the weekend and the Canadian forward should be involved in the matchday squad on Saturday.
Mukhtar has been a standout performer in the MLS this season and the 27-year-old, who is currently top of the league's scoring chart with 21 goals, will certainly be one to keep an eye on.
Meanwhile, Hernandez fumbled a chance to hand Los Angeles FC all three points last time out, but the former Manchester United man should spearhead the attack once again, alongside strike partner Victor Vazquez.
On the injury front, Vanney will be unable to call upon the services of Mexican youngster Jonathan Perez, who has been sidelined through a knee problem.
Thirty-two–year-old defender Jorge Villafana has been out of action since February due to an ACL problem and the American remains out of contention for the Galaxy.
Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Romney, Maher, Miller; Washington, Davis, Godoy, Muyl, Leal; Mukhtar, Sapong
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Araujo, Coulibaly, Williams, Edwards; Costa, Puig, Brugman, Grandsir; Vazquez, Hernandez
We say: Nashville SC 2-1 Los Angeles Galaxy
Nashville are currently firing on all cylinders in the MLS and will head into the weekend seeking a fifth win on the bounce. Smith's men take on a Los Angeles Galaxy side who have lost four and picked up two wins from their last seven away games and we are backing the Texas outfit to come away with all three points once again.
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Top tip
Joshua Ojele
