Nashville SC hope to recover from a 2-1 home MLS defeat against Kansas City when they travel to take on a freefalling DC United this weekend.
DC United's defeat to struggling Chicago Fire means that they now hold the joint-worst record in MLS this season. The hosts face another tough test when they host a Nashville SC side who are sat 6th in the Western Conference as things stand.
RealSport101's Harry Smith is here to preview this tricky encounter. Team news, predicted starting XIs and betting tips are included below.
DC United vs Nashville SC Team News
DC United have four major injury concerns to contend with ahead of the visit of Nashville SC with Moses Nyemen and Adrien Perez among those unavailable for the home side.
Chad Ashton is likely to stick with the 5-3-2 system this weekend regardless of the scoreline against MLS basement boys Chicago Fire. There will be changes to the lineup though, with central midfielder Russell Canouse and striker Michael Estrada both in contention for starts after featuring from the bench last time out.
For the visitors, Gary Smith will also be without four first-team players, including Teal Bunbury and Irakoe Donasiyano. Nashville SC could turn out with an unchanged starting XI this weekend following on from a 2-1 home defeat against Kansas City, but don't be surprised to see Ake Arnaud Loba replace CJ Sapong up top.
Confirmed Absentees
DC United
Injured: Moses Nyeman, Chris Odoi-Atsem, Gaoussou Samake, Adrien Perez
Nashville SC
Injured: Teal Bunbury, Robert Castellanos, Irakoze Donasiyano, Handwalla Bwana
Predicted Lineups
DC United (5-3-2): Romo; Gressel, Najar, Birnbaum, Pines, Smith; Canouse, Djeffal, Durkin; Kamara, Estrada
Nashville SC (3-5-2): Willis; Miller, Romney, Maher; Muyi, Davis, Godoy, Anunga, Lovitz; Loba, Mukhtar
DC United vs Nashville SC Score Prediction
The extent of DC United's struggles were exacerbated last weekend when they were beaten 1-0 on the road by a Chicago Fire side who are rooted to the bottom of the combined MLS table. The Black and Red are on a dreadful run heading into this game, having taken just two points from the last 15 available.
Chad Ashton's side has fared somewhat better at home, winning two and drawing one of their last four at Audi Field, but even then they've failed to win each of their last two. The hosts now have the joint-worst record in MLS this season, taking just 14 points from their opening 14 league games.
Their visitors have fared much better and went into the international break having claimed two wins and two draws from four games. Scarier still for DC United is Nashville SC's away record.
Gary Smith's men have played ten games away from home this season, more than any side in MLS, and have claimed four wins and two draws from those encounters. Furthermore, in Hany Mukhtar, they possess one of the best attacking talents in the division. He'll no doubt cause problems for a leaky DC United defence.
Score Prediction: DC United 0-2 Nashville SC
Harry Smith's Tip: To Score - Hany Mukhtar
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