Sunday’s MLS clash between Nashville SC and Real Salt Lake isn’t just another early-season fixture—it’s a true test of momentum vs resilience. Nashville have looked solid at home but are coming off a tough 2-1 loss to Charlotte FC. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake have been wildly inconsistent, but they’re riding high after a surprising 2-0 win over LA Galaxy.
These two sides are hovering around mid-table in their respective conferences and both know that a win could spark a much-needed run of form. Nashville have been strong starters, scoring first in five straight games, while Salt Lake tend to get scrappy on the road.
The big question is: can Nashville’s attacking core shine despite a growing injury list, or will Real Salt Lake’s physical edge and opportunistic play steal the points? Let’s break it down, crunch the numbers, and roll out five smart betting picks to help you nail your MLS ticket.
Claim Welcome BonusNASHVILLE SC PREVIEW
Nashville SC are off to a fairly mixed start, currently sitting 9th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 3W-1D-3L. The good news? They’ve been solid at home, picking up three wins in their last four in front of the Nashville crowd. The bad news? Injuries are starting to pile up.
Their last match was a narrow 2-1 loss to Charlotte FC, where Nashville had 47% possession, fired 7 shots on target, and earned 8 corners. The effort was there—they just couldn’t convert enough chances, despite a healthy xG of 1.48.
But here's the concern—Nashville are missing Tyler Boyd, Bryan Acosta, Julian Gaines, and Maximus Ekk. That’s a lot of creativity and depth out of the lineup. Still, expect Hany Mukhtar to take the reins. The reigning MVP remains a danger every time he touches the ball.
The xG of 1.48 indicates they’re still generating high-quality chances, but they’ll need to stay sharp defensively—especially early—if they want to hold off a hungry Salt Lake squad.
REAL SALT LAKE PREVIEW
Real Salt Lake are the definition of streaky this season. With a 3W-0D-4L record, they currently sit 10th in the Western Conference. They’ve alternated between inspiring and invisible, but they’re coming into this match off a convincing 2-0 win over LA Galaxy—a result that might have given them just the spark they needed.
In that win, Salt Lake had 52% possession, committed 18 fouls, earned 4 corners, picked up 3 yellows, and managed 2 shots on target—both of which found the net. Efficiency at its finest.
They’ll be without Zac MacMath, Kobi Henry, and Matthew Bell, which could stretch their backline a bit, but Chicho Arango and Andrés Gómez have stepped up lately with goals and creativity in the final third.
Their xG of 1.31 suggests they’re not creating as many chances as Nashville, but their ability to punch above their numbers makes them dangerous. If they can keep it tight early and frustrate the home crowd, they’ve got a shot at a result.
HEAD TO HEAD
All-time Record: Nashville 1 win, Salt Lake 1 win, 1 draw
Last Meeting: Nashville won 2-0
So, while this isn’t a rivalry by any means, their history is split down the middle, and it’s anyone’s game on paper.
History of Head-to-Heads
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Major League Soccer 2022
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Nashville SC
Major League Soccer 2021
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Nashville SC Latest Games
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FC Cincinnati
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Real Salt Lake Latest Games
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Toronto FC
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LA Galaxy
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FC Dallas
EXPERT BETTING TIPS
Over 2.5 Total Goals @ 1.829 Odds
Nashville have hit this in 4 of their last 5, and both teams are scoring early and often. Expect an open game.
Nashville to Score First @ 1.61 Odds
They’ve scored first in 5 straight matches, and Salt Lake have conceded early in 3 of their last 5 on the road.
Both Teams to Score – YES @ 1.71 Odds
With Nashville’s attack clicking at home and Salt Lake’s form improving, BTTS is likely.
Final Thoughts
This one has the makings of a back-and-forth affair. Nashville are more stable at home and generate better chances, but Real Salt Lake’s unpredictability and sharp finishing on the break make them a real threat.
Expect goals, momentum swings, and maybe a moment of magic from a key playmaker like Mukhtar or Arango. From a betting perspective, this is a game where totals (goals, cards) and team-specific props offer more value than picking an outright winner.
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