New York City FC take on Nashville SC in MLS on Saturday evening, with the hosts looking to continue their unbeaten start at Citi Field.
NY City are seventh in the Eastern Conference at this early juncture in the season, while Nashville are up in fifth, having picked up two more points in their opening seven games.
Match preview
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New York City FC have made a solid, if not spectacular start to the season, having picked up nine points in seven games, a total that leaves them inside the playoffs, but already eight points behind Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati.
That said, NY City have been solid at home in their opening three matches, having picked up seven points, defeating Inter Miami and DC United back in March, although their form has started to tail off as of late.
Nick Cushing's side are without a win in their last three matches, picking up two points during that time, although they can consider themselves very lucky to have taken anything out of the last match.
In a home match against Atlanta United, NY City drew 1-1, despite the visitors playing much of the second half with 10 men, with almost all of the clear-cut chances going the way of the opposition.
Having finished third in the Eastern Conference last season, Cushing's men have work to do if they are to secure a place in the playoffs once again, and they are tasked with beating a side they have not won against since 2019.
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Indeed, Nashville have got the better of NY City in recent times, winning two and drawing one of the last three matches between the two sides, most recently recording a 2-0 victory at Geodis Park back in February.
The Music are faring roughly how they would have been expected to in the MLS this season, having finished fifth in the previous campaign, picking up 11 points from their opening seven games, which leaves them comfortably inside the playoffs.
Gary Smith's side have particularly impressed defensively so far this season, conceding just two goals up to this point, the fewest of any side in either the Eastern or Western Conference, having kept clean sheets in five of their seven matches.
In their three away games so far, Nashville have picked up a respectable four points, and the only two sides they have lost against all season have been Cincinnati and New England Revolution, who occupy the top two places in the Eastern Conference.
Last time out, the Music were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at home against Toronto FC, after failing to create any clear-cut opportunities in what was a disappointing performance, and they will be looking to bounce back with a victory on Saturday.
Team News
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NY City do not have any fresh injury concerns heading into Saturday's game, but Cushing could make a few changes after the disappointing draw against Atlanta United last time out.
Gabriel Pereira could come in at right-wing, with the Brazilian scoring as a substitute in the last match, especially as Matias Pellegrini, who has failed to register a goal or an assist so far this season, is suspended for the contest.
Richard Ledezma has featured as a second-half substitute in the previous three matches, and the central midfielder could be set for his first competitive start since arriving from PSV Eindhoven, replacing James Sands.
Nashville will continue to be without Randall Leal and Nick DePuy, who have both failed to feature this season due to injury, but Smith does not have any new injury issues to deal with heading into the match.
However, the manager could make some changes in attacking areas after the disappointing 0-0 draw last time out, and Teal Bunbury could replace CJ Sapong at striker, with the latter still without a goal in the MLS this season.
New York City FC possible starting lineup:
Barraza; Ilenic, Martins, Chanot, Cufre; Parks, Sands, Pereira, Rodriguez, Magno; Segal
Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Moore, Zimmerman, Maher, Lovitz; Shaffelburg, Godoy, Davis, Picault; Bunbury, Mukhtar
We say: New York City FC 1-1 Nashville SC
The two sides are separated by just two points, having both made inconsistent starts to the MLS season, and a draw is therefore the most likely result on Saturday evening.
However, if either team manages to come away with the three points, it will probably be the hosts, having gone undefeated at the Yankee Stadium so far this season.
How to watch
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Top tip
Dominic Lund
