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DC United welcome MLS leaders Nashville SC to Audi Field on Saturday looking to build on last week's victory and strengthen their push for an Eastern Conference playoff place.
The Black-and-Red ended a five-match winless league run with a dramatic home success over Toronto FC and will now attempt to secure consecutive MLS victories for only the second time this season.
Nashville travel to the capital after suffering a narrow defeat to Orlando City, although the Tennessee outfit remain comfortably top of both the Eastern Conference and the overall MLS standings.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
DC United vs Nashville SC key stats
- DC United have conceded an average of two goals per game across their last nine league matches.
- Nashville have won 12 of their opening 17 MLS regular-season fixtures.
- DC United have managed victories in only three of their eight home league matches in 2026.
- Tai Baribo has scored in four of his last five appearances, including each of the most recent three.
- Both teams have scored in eight of DC United's last nine MLS matches.
DC United vs Nashville SC preview: League leaders to edge another entertaining contest?
DC United vs Nashville SC — Tale of the Tape
| DC United | vs | Nashville SC |
|---|---|---|
| 9th (Eastern Conference) | Position | 1st (Eastern Conference) |
| 22 | Points | 39 |
| 24 | Goals For | 33] |
| 27 | Goals Against | 12 |
| 4 | Clean Sheets | 8 |
| 12th | Home / Away Rank | 2nd |
DC United climbed to ninth in the Eastern Conference after collecting 22 points from their opening 17 league matches and could move into the automatic playoff places with victory alongside favourable results elsewhere.
Rene Weiler's side are unbeaten across their previous four MLS outings, although three of those matches ended level, highlighting their difficulty in converting positive performances into maximum points.
The hosts have shown plenty of attacking intent in recent weeks by scoring 20 goals across their last nine league fixtures, ensuring they continue to pose a threat despite their inconsistent results.
Baribo has emerged as the focal point of DC United's attack, with his stoppage-time penalty against Toronto extending his scoring streak and underlining his growing influence in the final third.
The Washington outfit will also take encouragement from holding Nashville to a 2-2 draw in May, proving they are capable of troubling one of the division's strongest sides.
Nashville currently lead the race for the Supporters' Shield after collecting 39 points from 17 league matches, putting together one of the most consistent campaigns in MLS this season.
B.J. Callaghan's men saw a five-match winning run come to an end with defeat at Orlando City, but that result also represented their first league game without scoring since the beginning of May.
The visitors have experienced a slight dip on their travels after taking four points from their last three away league fixtures, having previously collected 10 from their opening five on the road.
Despite that slowdown, Nashville have demonstrated impressive resilience throughout the campaign by losing only two league matches, reinforcing why they remain favourites heading into this encounter.
The Tennessee club have also enjoyed this fixture in recent years, winning two of their last three meetings with DC United while avoiding defeat in each of the previous four encounters.
DC United vs Nashville SC form guide & betting tips
| DC United | vs | Nashville SC |
|---|---|---|
L
D
D
D
W
|
Form |
W
W
W
W
L
|
| 6 | Points | 12 |
| 12th | Form Table | 2nd |
| 9 | Goals For | 7 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 4 |
L
D
D
D
W
|
Form (All Comps) |
W
W
W
W
L
|
Whispers predicts: DC United 1-2 Nashville SC
Although the hosts enter this encounter with confidence following last week's victory, Nashville are deserved favourites at 23/20 (2.15) compared to 21/10 (3.10) for DC United, and an away win looks appealing given the visitors have produced one of the strongest league campaigns despite their recent setback.
Both teams to score at 7/10 (1.70) also stands out after landing in eight of DC United's last nine MLS matches, with the hosts continuing to find the net regularly even against stronger opposition, making a 2-1 away success an attractive correct-score selection.
Baribo's impressive scoring run is enough to place him firmly among the anytime goalscorer contenders, but the safer option is for the Israeli forward to score or assist at 1/1 (2.00), considering he remains the centrepiece of a DC United attack that has consistently created chances in recent weeks.
There is also value in the corner market, with over 9.5 corners available at 11/10 (2.10) after each of DC United's last five home matches cleared that line, while the previous meeting between these sides produced 15 corners to further strengthen the case.
>Both teams to score – Yes at 7/10 (1.70) | Likelihood: Probable
>Match result – Nashville SC to win at 23/20 (2.15) | Likelihood: Possible
>Tai Baribo to score or assist at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Possible
>Over 9.5 corners at 11/10 (2.10) | Likelihood: Possible
>Correct score – DC United 1-2 Nashville SC at 17/2 (9.50) | Likelihood: Outsider