Nashville SC Aim to Defend Top Spot Against Struggling Columbus Crew

Nashville SC vs Columbus Crew - 08/23/2026

08/20/2026 572

Nashville SC and Columbus Crew are set for an Eastern Conference clash at GEODIS Park on August 23, 2026. Leading the table, Nashville appear poised for another strong performance against a Columbus side struggling for consistency.

Recent History

Nashville SC have made their home ground a fortress against Columbus Crew in recent meetings. In their last four home matches against the Crew, Nashville have won twice and drawn twice, avoiding defeat each time.

This unbeaten run at GEODIS Park is a pivotal psychological edge, especially with the stakes high at the top of the conference.

Recent Form

Heading into this fixture, Nashville SC have won three, drawn one, and lost two of their last six matches, netting an average of two goals while conceding just 1.17 per game. Their home form is even more impressive; two wins from their last three, scoring at a rate of 2.67 and giving up only a solitary goal per match.

In their recent home victory against Inter Miami, Nashville showed their attacking flair with a 4-1 scoreline. Their latest performance on the road saw them edge out New York Red Bulls 1-0, courtesy of a late goal from Maxwell Woledzi.

Columbus Crew, in contrast, have been more erratic. Two wins, two draws, and two losses in their last six games with 1.67 goals scored and conceded per match speaks to an unsettled side. Their last three games away from home yielded no victories with two draws and a defeat, conceding two goals per match on average.

Overall Performance

Nashville SC are sitting atop the Eastern Conference with 14 wins, four draws, and just two losses in 20 matches, boasting a goal difference of +25. The attack has been clinical, averaging two goals per game, while defensively they've been robust at 0.75 goals conceded per match.

Columbus Crew are twelfth in the standings, with only five wins and a negative goal difference, conceding on average 1.65 per match. Their tally of 28 goals scored underlines struggles both in attack and defense.

Main Trends

Nashville’s current trajectory is underlined by sustained success at home. In all competitions they've won 12 of their last 20, and have been undefeated in 85% of their last 20 home matches. They have also won by two or more goals in 45% of those based on recent form.

Going further back, Nashville have recorded 11 undefeated league games in their last 12, and have achieved an 83% win rate over their past 12 home league matches.

Columbus Crew’s away record shows cracks, having lost 60% of their last 15 matches away from home, and winless in 17 of their last 20 away fixtures. In the league context, they've failed to win eight out of their last ten and are winless in all competitions in their last three outings.

Probable Lineups

Nashville SC

Goalkeeper: Brian Schwake

Defenders: Daniel Lovitz, Maxwell Woledzi, Jeison Palacios, Andy Nájar

Midfielders: Edvard Tagseth, Matthew Corcoran, Shak Mohammed, Hany Mukhtar, Ahmed Qasem

Attackers: Sam Surridge

Columbus Crew

Goalkeeper: Patrick Schulte

Defenders: Steven Moreira, Sean Zawadzki, Rudy Camacho, Malte Amundsen

Midfielders: Dylan Chambost, Taha Habroune, André Gomes, Mohamed Farsi

Attackers: Chase Adams, Dániel Gazdag

Prediction

Nashville SC’s relentless home form, combined with Columbus Crew’s ongoing road struggles, points firmly toward a home victory. The last meeting between these two ended 1-0 in favor of Nashville earlier this year, and the predictive models give Nashville a 62% probability of winning. Expect a match with plenty of action, with over 2.5 goals likely and a potential 2-1 scoreline in favor of the hosts based on recent attacking outputs.

Columbus Crew’s improved possession statistics are undermined by their lack of cutting edge and a porous defense. Nashville’s disciplined backline and efficiency in front of goal, exemplified by Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, should provide enough firepower to secure another three points and keep them atop the Eastern Conference standings.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

Us1

Nashville SC Columbus Crew 23/08/2026 02:30

622315

12-1

2 - 1

3.29

91°F

-152

-152 +300 +400 up down down

FT

3 - 2(1 - 0)

-

- - -