Columbus Crew vs Nashville SC Odds and Preview: MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals

• The Columbus Crew will host Nashville SC in the MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals on Sunday, November 29, 2020
• Nashville has just two losses in their past 14 matches overall
• Read our preview of this semifinals match and best bet below

It’s the second-ever meeting between the Columbus Crew and Nashville SC. They’ll meet in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday, November 29 at 8:00 pm EST.

The teams met back in September, which saw Columbus claim all three points with a 2-0 win.

With both Toronto and Philadelphia seeing Round One exits, third-seed Columbus is now the highest remaining seed in the Eastern Conference and have MLS Cup odds of +700. They’ll take on new boys Nashville, who are having a dream season in their first year in MLS. Nashville finished seventh and are now into their first-ever playoff run.

Read on for our preview and best bet for this Columbus Crew vs Nashville SC match. The winner of this match will face either Orlando City or New England from the other Eastern Conference semifinal.

Columbus Crew vs Nashville SC Odds

All odds taken Nov 26 at DraftKings

Crew Score Three-Straight in New York Win

The Columbus Crew earned home-field advantage in Round One with a 12-5-6 (WDL) record during the regular season, good for third overall. With only 21 goals conceded all season they had the best defense not only in the Eastern Conference but also in the league.

The Crew were hit and miss down the stretch as they dealt with several key players out of the lineup. They won just two of nine at 2-2-5 (WDL) heading into the final weekend but ended on a high on Decision Day with a 2-1 win over Atlanta.

Against the East’s sixth-place team the New York Red Bulls in Round One, Columbus had everyone back in the lineup and advanced to the Conference Semifinals with a 3-2 win.

The Red Bulls actually struck first with a Caden Clark 23′ minute goal. But the Crew would level things just minutes later with a Pedro Santos PK. Just 23 seconds into the second half the Crew took a 2-1 lead (Darlington Nagbe) and would add to that lead later in the 63′ minute with a Gyasi Zardes goal.

With that third goal, Columbus looked to be well and clear into the semifinals. However, New York added a very late second goal in stoppage time to give the Crew a few more tense moments before claiming their spot.

Expansion Nashville Upset TFC in Extra-Time

The season continues for the expansion Nashville SC after pulling a stunning upset over MLS Cup finalists Toronto FC on Tuesday night.

While Toronto had several players missing down the stretch of the regular season, most were back in Greg Vanney’s starting XI on Tuesday. While Toronto had the home advantage, due to border restrictions that still only meant they played in an empty Rentschler Field in Hartford. And while Toronto carried much of the possession early, they were unable to create many quality scoring chances from it.

It was Nashville who looked the more dangerous side for many parts of the game and actually had three different goals called back for offside. With the score 0-0 and into the second half of extra-time, it was Daniel Rios who finally gave Nashville the goal they would need at the 108′ minute mark, to push them through to the conference semis.

The win now gives Nashville three-straight after also shutting out fellow expansion side Inter Miami (3-0) on Friday night during the play-ins. On Decision Day they handed Orlando City their first home loss of the year with a 3-2 win as well.

Overall, Nashville enters this semifinals match with just one loss in their last nine and only two in their past 14 matches.

Columbus Crew vs Nashville SC

Columbus Crew vs Nashville SC Best Bet

The Crew will likely be happy to have seemingly dodged a bullet in avoiding having to travel to face Toronto in the semifinals, instead of staying at home to face Nashville.

Columbus are 9-0-1 (WDL) at home this year so should enjoy an advantage over a Nashville side with three wins in ten road dates.

On paper, this looks like a straight-forward Crew win. They have the experience, the home-field, more star players, and an excellent coach in Caleb Porter.

All eyes on Sunday night.

Under the lights at @MAPFREStadium on @espn.#To96ther | #MLSCupPlayoffs

— x – Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) November 25, 2020

But this could be tight. After Philadelphia, who only conceded 20 goals on the year, no two teams allowed fewer goals in the league than Columbus (21) and Nashville (22). Nashville was also second in the East and fourth overall in expected goals allowed (xGA) at 25.4. While Columbus, arguably outperformed defensively with an xGA of only 29.9, ranking ninth in the East and 14th overall.

All that said, those stellar defensive figures for Columbus are slanted towards the earlier part of the season. They’ve actually failed to keep a clean sheet in their past 12 matches. In fact, their last clean sheet came against this Nashville side way back on September 19. In that 2-0 win, both teams suffered from poor finishing and Nashville didn’t get a shot on target until the 61′ minute. The Crew scored in the 50′ and again late-on in the 92′.

Why stop now? pic.twitter.com/ExAziZkXbp

— x – Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) November 24, 2020

That was a different time for Nashville though. That defeat came after a stretch that saw them score just eight goals in eight games, with four coming in a 4-2 home win over DC the match prior. And while the scoring didn’t quite pick up immediately after their loss to Columbus, they only lost two more games over their next 12 to finish out the regular season.

Their goalscoring has picked up of late though. In their past nine, Nashville SC has scored 16 times while conceding just six. They have seven goals in their past three and wins over Toronto and Orlando will have inspired confidence throughout the roster.

Despite the goals flowing for both sides of late, with so much on the line and two teams very capable of shutting things down defensively, I see a lower-scoring match and maybe even a draw. Nashville has played seven matches which have been both drawn at half-time and also drawn at full-time. That’s tied for the most in the league.

Pick: Under 2.5 (-143)