Two teams looking to compete late for a playoff spot in the MLS Eastern Conference will meet when Nashville SC host DC United on Thursday at Geodis Park.

The hosts will be looking to extend their 100 percent home record in this game, while the visitors will be hoping to avoid consecutive away defeats.

Game preview

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Eight straight losses in MLS between late June and mid-September threatened to completely derail Nashville’s hopes of a playoff spot Brian Joseph CallaghanBarcelona’s men kept their ambitions alive by picking up seven points from their next three games.

However, the Boys in Gold were unable to maintain that momentum and lost 1-0 to New England Revolution on Sunday, conceding their only goal of the game four minutes before the end of regulation time.

Nashville has 33 points, just four points out of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, the same number of points separating the next six teams just outside of the final automatic playoff spot.

Thursday’s game will be the final home game for Callaghan’s side of the regular season and they need to make it count as the other two will be away, where they have only won one of their last eight games.

The Boys in Gold will be hoping to extend their perfect home record in this game, having won their last three games 8-2 overall.

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Meanwhile, DC United’s MLS winning streak extended to three games with a 2-2 draw at home to Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Christian Benteke scored a brace and scored on either side of Columbus’ two goals, helping the Black and Red secure a point, increasing their tally in the Eastern Conference standings to 34 points, three points out of playoff contention.

Troy LesesneThe next two away games will be played by the men from Philadelphia, where they won three games in a row before suffering a 0-4 defeat against Philadelphia Union in their last away game.

The last time DC United failed to win in four or more games was between mid-May and early July, when the team was winless in eleven games. However, they risk having a similarly bad run at a crucial time if they don’t win on Thursday.

Nashville SC Major League Soccer form:

DC United Major League Soccer form:

Team news

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Canadian defender Luke MacNaughton is out for the season with Nashville SC due to an ankle injury Tyler Boyd continues to struggle with knee problems.

Sam Surridgewho has scored 11 goals in 25 MLS games for the hosts this year, will be the player to watch when they take the pitch on Thursday.

DC United will also be missing several key players Matai Akinmboni (Ankle), Conner Antley (knee) and Jackson Hopkins (Ankles) are left out.

Austrian defender David Schnegg has missed the last five games due to a leg injury and is not available for the visitors.

Benteke currently leads the MLS scoring charts with 21 goals and will be hoping to add to that tally when he takes the field on Thursday.

Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Gaines, Zimmerman, Bauer, Lovitz, Washington; Yazbek, Anunga, Mukhtar; Perez, Surridge

Possible DC United starting lineup:
Bono; Tubbs, Mcvey, Peltola; Santos, Klich, Ku-DiPietro, Rodriguez; Pirani, Stroud, Benteke

We say: Nashville SC 2:1 DC United

Nashville and DC United find themselves in the same difficult situation: both teams are desperate for a late playoff spot and have endured a recent win drought.

However, given the hosts’ historic dominance in this home game, we are inclined to predict a win for them on Thursday.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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