Nashville SC host Columbus Crew at Geodis Park on Saturday, August 22 (8:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM CT / 5:30 PM PT).
There are no fresh absences to report for Nashville SC, so Samuel Surridge should again lead the line after scoring 12 goals this season, with Hany Mukhtar pulling the strings behind him off the back of 26 chances created. Columbus Crew are also close to full strength, and top scorer Dániel Gazdag’s 3 goals will need support from Taha Habroune, who leads the visitors with 33 chances created this season.
Nashville SC arrive as the best side in MLS this season, first in the East with 46 points from 20 games and a +25 goal difference underlining just how dominant they’ve been. Columbus Crew, by contrast, sit 12th with 20 points and a -five goal difference, and the shape of this one points to a tight, low-scoring affair rather than an end-to-end shootout — Nashville doing enough up front while shutting the door at the back.
Nashville SC vs Columbus Crew: Best Bets & Predictions
Nashville's East leaders host a struggling Columbus side at Geodis Park
Our approach: we weigh conference position, points and underlying numbers over raw scorelines, leaning on Nashville's dominant goal difference and Columbus's struggles in front of goal to land on a tight home win.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).
Season Form & Standings
Nashville SC sit first in the East with 46 points from 20 games, well clear of the pack, while Columbus Crew are 12th with 20 points, on the outside of the playoff picture.
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville SC | 1 | 20 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 40 | 15 | +25 | 46 |
| Columbus Crew | 12 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 28 | 33 | -5 | 20 |
Nashville SC vs Columbus Crew Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
Nashville SC
4-2-3-1Columbus Crew
4-4-2Potential Match-Winners
- Samuel Surridge (Nashville SC): Nashville’s focal point has scored 12 goals from 29 shots this season, with 19 of those on target.
- Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC): Mukhtar has created 26 chances to go with 8 goals of his own, the creative heartbeat of this Nashville side.
- Dániel Gazdag (Columbus Crew): Gazdag leads Columbus with 3 goals and has created 8 chances, the visitors’ main outlet going forward.
Recent Form
Nashville SC: W L D W W
- 2026-08-20: New York Red Bulls 0-1 Nashville SC (W, away)
- 2026-08-16: Nashville SC 4-1 Inter Miami (W, home)
- 2026-08-02: DC United 2-2 Nashville SC (D, away)
- 2026-07-26: Orlando City 1-0 Nashville SC (L, away)
- 2026-07-23: Nashville SC 1-0 CF Montreal (W, home)
Nashville SC’s last five league games read W L D W W, capped by a 4-1 win over Inter Miami and a 1-0 away win at New York Red Bulls.
Columbus Crew: L W D L L
- 2026-08-20: Columbus Crew 1-2 CF Montreal (L, home)
- 2026-08-16: Charlotte FC 3-1 Columbus Crew (L, away)
- 2026-08-02: Inter Miami 2-2 Columbus Crew (D, away)
- 2026-07-26: Columbus Crew 2-1 FC Cincinnati (W, home)
- 2026-07-23: Columbus Crew 1-2 NYCFC (L, home)
Columbus Crew’s last five league games read L W D L L, including a 1-2 home defeat to CF Montreal in their most recent outing.
Nashville SC vs Columbus Crew Prediction
Expect a tight night at Geodis Park where Nashville SC, first in the East with 46 points, edge a cagey affair 2-0 over a Columbus Crew side stuck 12th with 20 points and short on answers on the road.