Preview: Dallas vs. Nashville SC - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are back on home soil this weekend after back-to-back away outings in the league, while Nashville will be aiming to record successive victories after overcoming Columbus Crew last time out.

Match preview

Dallas' winless streak in MLS extended to three games on Wednesday night with a 2-1 loss at Sporting Kansas City, with goals from Gadi Kinda and Daniel Salloi putting the game beyond the visitors at Children's Mercy Park.

Despite being unable to pick up a glut of maximums in recent weeks, Dallas have been collecting points for the most part - the defeat against Peter Vermes's men in midweek was their first since April.

The Hoops sit fourth in the Western Conference heading into Saturday's clash, just three points behind Seattle Sounders who lead the section with 26 points from 16 games.

Nico Estevez has set his side up well for duels at the Toyota Stadium so far this term, with Dallas losing only one of their seven MLS home matches - that loss came against Minnesota United back in February.

A standout performer for the hosts this campaign has been American international Jesus Ferreira, with the 22-year-old netting nine goals in 15 MLS appearances after scoring 18 last term.

Nashville stretched their unbeaten run in MLS to seven matches in midweek courtesy of a 3-1 success over Columbus at GEODIS Park - although things were not straightforward on the night.

A second-minute Yaw Yeboah goal put the Crew ahead, and it would take until the second half for Nashville to find the leveller through Fabrice Picault, with Teal Bunbury and the always-impressive Hany Mukhtar netting the decisive goals.

Apart from an Open Cup defeat to Inter Miami just over a week ago, the Music went unbeaten throughout the month of May, and they will feel confident of extending their hot streak in Texas on the weekend.

Gary Smith's men are second in the Eastern conference standings, but first-placed FC Cincinnati have been in a league of their own so far this season, having collected 36 points from their opening 15 contests.

Nashville have not been sensational on their MLS travels to date but did enjoy a successful outing in North Carolina against Charlotte last month, with German Mukhtar bagging a hat-trick.

Dallas Major League Soccer form:

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W

W

D

D

L

Nashville SC Major League Soccer form:

W

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D

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W

Team News

Dallas will be without the services of right-back Ema Twumasi this weekend, with the 26-year-old suffering an ankle injury in the past week which is set to keep him sidelined until early July.

A thigh injury is likely to see Paul Arriola in the Hoops' medical room until the middle of this month - Estevez's options on the right side of the pitch are diminishing very quickly.

Youngster Tarik Scott's season has been severely hindered by a cruciate ligament injury sustained in February, meaning the former North Texas SC man is not set to feature at all until October.

Nashville centre-back Nick DePuy is yet to make an appearance for the Music since making the off-season switch from LA Galaxy - Jack Maher and Lukas MacNaughton will continue as the central-defensive duo for Smith's side.

The visitors are expected to name an unchanged side from the one which dismantled Columbus in the second half last time out, meaning Daniel Lovitz will continue at left-back after providing two assists on Wednesday night.

Dallas possible starting lineup:

Maurer; Geovane, Ibeagha, Tafari, Farfan; Obrian, Quigon, Cerillo, Velasco; Ferreira, Jimenez

Nashville SC possible starting lineup:

Willis; Moore, MacNaughton, Maher, Lovitz; Muyl, McCarty, Godoy; Mukhtar, Bunbury, Picault

We say: Dallas 1-2 Nashville SC

Dallas have struggled in recent weeks on the road and now face a home assignment against one of the trickiest opponents in MLS with Nashville coming to Texas.

The Music are promising to be a contender for the Supporters Shield this season and should have enough to earn their third away win of the season in this one.

How to watch

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