NYCFC host Nashville SC at Yankee Stadium on Friday, September 4 (7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT).
NYCFC have no fresh fitness concerns to report. Nicolás Fernández Mercau, their top scorer with 14 goals this season, should lead the line, with Axel Ojeda and Hannes Wolf — both on 5 goals — also in the frame. Nashville SC are similarly unaffected by absences, meaning Samuel Surridge (12 goals), Hany Mukhtar (9 goals, 28 chances created) and Cristian Espinoza (41 chances created) all look set to start for the league’s form side.
NYCFC sit seventh in the East, their recent home games have brought a win over Chicago Fire, a draw with Toronto FC and a defeat to Philadelphia Union — form uneven enough to explain the position. Nashville sit top of the conference on 49 points with a +26 goal difference, and their control on the road, shown by a win at New York Red Bulls, points to another low-event night rather than an end-to-end shootout. Expect a tight, cagey contest that Nashville edge 0-1.
NYCFC vs Nashville SC: Best Bets & Predictions
Nashville's East-leading form threatens NYCFC with another quiet night at home.
Our approach: we lean on standings context, goal output and shot data rather than reputation, and this week that points to a tight, low-scoring night with Nashville's control the deciding factor.
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
NYCFC sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, still within reach of a playoff spot. Nashville SC top the East on 49 points from 21 games, with a +26 goal difference underlining just how dominant their campaign has been.
Eastern Conference
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville SC | 1 | 21 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 43 | 17 | +26 | 49 |
NYCFC vs Nashville SC Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
NYCFC
4-4-2Nashville SC
4-4-2Potential Match-Winners
- Nicolás Fernández Mercau (NYCFC): Fernández Mercau leads NYCFC with 14 goals from 54 shots this season, offering the head-to-head’s most direct threat in front of goal.
- Samuel Surridge (Nashville SC): Surridge has scored 12 goals from just 31 attempts, an efficient return that has fired Nashville to the top of the East.
- Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC): Mukhtar’s 28 chances created sit alongside 9 goals, underlining his all-round influence for the league’s form side.
Recent Form
NYCFC: W D L L D
- 2026-08-23: New England Revolution 1-1 NYCFC (D, away)
- 2026-08-20: FC Cincinnati 2-1 NYCFC (L, away)
- 2026-08-16: NYCFC 2-3 Philadelphia Union (L, home)
- 2026-08-01: NYCFC 1-1 Toronto FC (D, home)
- 2026-07-26: NYCFC 3-1 Chicago Fire (W, home)
NYCFC’s form reads W D L L D — a win over Chicago Fire, a draw with Toronto FC, defeats to Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati, and a draw at New England Revolution.
Nashville SC: L D W W W
- 2026-08-23: Nashville SC 3-2 Columbus Crew (W, home)
- 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)
Nashville SC’s form reads L D W W W — a defeat at Orlando City and a draw at DC United gave way to wins over Inter Miami, at New York Red Bulls and over Columbus Crew.
NYCFC vs Nashville SC Prediction
Nashville SC top the East on 49 points with a +26 goal difference. That control should tell against an NYCFC side sitting seventh in the conference and short of confidence going forward. Expect a tight, low-scoring affair that Nashville shade 0-1.