FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC Prediction

Nashville's control versus Cincinnati's inconsistency

Across their last 20 matches in all competitions, Nashville have won 12, drawn 4 and lost just 4, with a tidy 39 goals for and only 19 against. That's a side that's been hard to break down and efficient going forward.

FC Cincinnati: 20 completed matches; Nashville SC: 20 completed matches.

FC Cincinnati

20 matches

Win

40% 8 / 20

Draw

25% 5 / 20

Loss

35% 7 / 20

Scored

45

Conceded

45

Difference

0

Nashville SC

20 matches

Win

65% 13 / 20

Draw

15% 3 / 20

Loss

20% 4 / 20

Scored

42

Conceded

18

Difference

+24

Cincinnati's equivalent run reads 8 wins, 6 draws and 6 losses, with 45 scored and 45 conceded. They can clearly put goals in, but they've let in just as many, including a 5-0 defeat at Philadelphia and draws where they led or should have won.

Nashville's two most recent matches were home defeats to Toronto and Chicago Fire, so their form isn't quite as flawless as the overall numbers suggest.

Comparative Team Statistics: FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC

A fairly even head-to-head

Looking back over the last few seasons of meetings, neither side has dominated. Nashville won the most recent clash 4-0 back in August, but Cincinnati had taken the previous meeting 2-1 in September 2025.

Go back further and you'll find wins, losses and draws scattered fairly evenly between the two, including some high-scoring games. It's not a fixture with a clear psychological edge for either club.

Very different positions in the table

Nashville sit top of the standings with 60 points from 27 games, built on 18 wins against just 3 defeats. Cincinnati are down in 10th with 33 points from 26, having lost as many games as they've won.

Cincinnati's goal difference tells its own story too. They've scored 55, same as Nashville, but conceded 64 compared to Nashville's 21.

Goals and a few fitness question marks

Nashville's Surridge has been the division's sharpest finisher with 16 goals in 20 games, and Mukhtar adds another 11 with Espinoza supplying 10 assists. Cincinnati counter with Denkey's 14 goals and Evander contributing 12 goals and 8 assists, so there's no shortage of firepower on either side.

FC Cincinnati:

Best scorers:

K. Denkey - 14

Evander - 12

Best assist providers:

Evander - 8

Penalty cards:

G. Valenzuela x 2 x 2

O. Nwobodo x 1 x 6

Bryan Josías Ramírez León x 8

Injury list:

M. Miazga

K. Fletcher

Nashville SC:

Best scorers:

S. Surridge - 16

H. Mukhtar - 11

Best assist providers:

C. Espinoza - 10

Injury list:

S. Mohammed

X. Valdez

S. Surridge

R. Baker-Whiting

On the fitness front, both clubs have a handful of questionable entries. Nashville's Surridge is listed with an illness concern alongside Valdez and Baker-Whiting, while Cincinnati have Miazga and Fletcher carrying knee and leg issues. None of these are confirmed absences, but they're worth keeping an eye on closer to kickoff.

How this one could unfold

Nashville's defensive numbers suggest they can keep Cincinnati's attack quiet for long spells, but Cincinnati have shown they can score against most opponents given their goal tally matches Nashville's despite the leakier defence.

If Cincinnati's home defensive frailty shows up again, this has the look of a game where Nashville's control and cutting edge could prove decisive. Equally, Cincinnati's attack has punished sides who sit back, so it's not a one-way script.