Toronto vs. Nashville SC Preview, Odds, Predictions (June 10)

Initial Thoughts

An outperforming side against a massively underperforming one, Nashville SC are flying high in the Western Conference as TFC continues to fall flat at home and beyond.

Toronto’s home record gives them a fighting chance with the bookies, but the Music will feel they can secure a record equalling win at BMO Field on Saturday.

The Narrative

Second in both the Western Conference and the overall MLS standings, it's fair to say Nashville SC are having a stellar season in 2023. 

With just a single loss in their last eleven matches and unbeaten in their last 8, NSC head to BMO Field on Saturday night hoping to equal a club record of five MLS wins on the bounce.

In fact, with less than half of the season played, Nashville are only five victories short of matching their entire total wins from last season.

If there’s good news for TFC ahead of this matchup it’s that Bob Bradley’s side have lost only once in their last five outings. What’s more worrying is a failure to kill off games and just a single win since the beginning of May.

Last weekend’s 1-1 draw away to Minnesota United was the 5th time this season TFC have dropped points after taking the lead. And it also means Bradley’s side have tied more than half of their league fixtures this season.

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Nuts and Bolts

This could be a game that’s all about familiar faces for both sets of fans.

Canadian winger Jacob Shaffelburg’s loan move to Nashville became permanent this season, while defender Lukas MacNaughton left for SNC in exchange CJ Sapong back in April.

Shaffelburg scored three goals in 46 appearances for TFC but has already matched that tally in 15 games for The Music this season.

And MacNaughton has done even better; scoring on his third turnout for Nashville in a 2-1 win against Inter Miami last month after failing to find the net in 28 appearances for TFC last season.

In an interesting twist, Shaffelburg was on the scoresheet for TFC the last time these teams met at BMO Field, while CJ Sapong also found the net for Nashville in that 2-1 win for the Reds back in September 2021.

Having lost only a single game at home this season, TFC aren’t the massive underdogs some might expect ahead of Saturday’s game. Nashville have won their last two away fixtures on the bounce but there was little between the two sides when they played out a goalless draw at Geodis Park back in early April.

Since then Nashville have won six and drawn two of their nine MLS fixtures though. And TFC have dropped points in all but two of their last ten games.

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Homestand Picks

All odds courtesy of Northstar Bets

Nashville SC to win after going a goal behind (+1200)

Really?? Plus 1200?? Considering TFC’s habit of surrendering leads, this pick might well be worth a look. Especially as it's exactly how Nashville picked up two of their last three wins. 

Nashville SC over 1.5 goals (+155)

The over for NSC also looks like a likely pick. Nashville have scored two or more goals in five of their last six, while TFC have conceded in five of their last seven.

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