Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC Odds & Prediction – MLS Cup Playoffs Round One

• Third-seeded Nashville SC hosts sixth-seeded Orlando City on Tuesday, November 23rd
• In three head-to-head games in Nashville, teams have combined for three draws
• Read on for betting odds, a full preview and the best bet for this MLS playoff match

Had it not been for a controversial 1-1 draw against Nashville three weeks ago, when a late Orlando City winner was chalked off for an alleged foul by Daryl Dike, it might have been the Lions being the home side here. Instead, they are faced with the task of winning in Nashville, the home of the only undefeated team in MLS this season, where the Six-Strings went 8-0-9.

However, after two draws at Nissan Stadium this year, Orlando will be motivated and confident it can go one better on Tuesday night in the MLS Cup Playoffs, with a trip to Philadelphia for the Eastern Conference semifinals awaiting the winner here.

Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC Odds

Odds as of November 22nd at DraftKings

Nashville’s Home Fortress

Looming large for Orlando is the prospect of having to win at Nissan Stadium, where the home side has proved unbeatable thus far this season. On top of that, the Lions have never won in three trips there, though the optimists in that team might also point out they’ve never lost there either.

5 Fast facts before tomorrow’s #EveryoneN v #OrlandoCity match:

1. Nash are unbeaten at home in 2021
2. The 2 teams have drawn 3x in 2021
3. ORL out possessed Nashville in all 3 matchups this year
4. Dike has scored in 4 straight
5. Nash have conceded 33ga. Tied best in MLS pic.twitter.com/fArTCwJK21

— MLS Gone Wild ⭐️ (@MLSGoneWild) November 23, 2021

In the three meetings to take place at Nissan Stadium since Nashville entered the league last year, the teams have registered three draws, with both teams scoring exactly four goals apiece.

Six-Strings to Prove Tough Out

But whether Gary Smith’s Nashville SC play at home or away, they have proven to be extremely tough to beat. The MLS Cup-winning head coach has seen his team lose just four times this season, the fewest in the league and also tying the MLS record for the lowest number of losses in a campaign.

Underpinning that record was a stifling defense. Nashville conceded just 33 goals this season, tied with the New York Red Bulls for fewest in the league. And, backstopped by goalkeeper-of-the-year nominee Joe Willis, the team posted an MLS-leading 13 clean sheets this season too.

Finalists in Gold 🏆@JoeWillis23, Hany Mukhtar and @thewalkerzim have been named as finalists for 2021 MLS End-of-Year Awardshttps://t.co/tcfxb3T2ue | #EveryoneN pic.twitter.com/8TaFHUjp3w

— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) November 15, 2021

However, the team also finished the season with 19 draws, the most in MLS.

Mukhtar Ready to Roll

While Nashville playmaker and MVP candidate Hany Mukhtar had a season for the ages, putting up an MLS-high combined 28 goals and assists. On top of that, he was really rolling down the stretch, scoring nine goals and adding eight assists over his final 15 matches of the season.

#MLSCupPlayoffs season is here.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us introduce you to the most productive player in #MLS this season, @NashvilleSC's Hany Mukhtar. pic.twitter.com/WO9exRMnU9

— Twenty3 (@Twenty3sport) November 18, 2021

However, while there were seemingly no teams immune to his playmaking abilities, he has really thrived in games against Orlando City over the last two seasons. In six games against the Lions, the former German youth international has scored three goals and added four assists.

Dike Dominance

On the other side of the pitch, Orlando City will be hoping that US international striker Dike can maintain his form in front of goal. The former Barnsley loanee scored in each of the team’s final four matches of the season and has contributed to goals in eight of the team’s last nine matches.

.@DarylDike has now scored in FOUR straight appearances. Mans on 🔥 #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/dj17kpShWc

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) November 8, 2020

And if there’s one team that Dike thrives against, it is Nashville, with the striker scoring five goals in six games against it, accounting for exactly half of Orlando’s total tally of 10 goals in the rivalry.

Nashville SC vs Orlando City 2021 Stats

Road Warriors

While Nashville’s home form has been impressive to say the least, Orlando has been no slouch on the road. The team picked up 20 points away from Exploria Stadium this year, the third-highest total in the Eastern Conference, and is unbeaten in its last four away games to boot.

Best bets: Orlando City (+380); Over 2.5 (+140)