Saturday's Major League Soccer predictions including Nashville vs. Inter Miami

Atlanta vs. Toronto (Sunday, 12.30am)

Atlanta United can end a seven-match winless run at Mercedes-Benz Stadium when they host Toronto in Major League Soccer action on Saturday.

A 1-1 draw versus St Louis City last weekend kept the Five Stripes in the final Eastern Conference playoff position with 21 points, three fewer than the Reds, who lost their previous encounter 3-0 to the New York Red Bulls.

We say: Atlanta United 2-0 Toronto

With many of their experienced players on international duty, Toronto have been particularly vulnerable on the back end, and we believe the Five Stripes will take advantage of that this weekend and remain unbeaten under Valentino.

Montreal vs. Philadelphia (Sunday, 12.30am)

A pair of sides still seeking their first MLS wins this month will square off at Saputo Stadium on Saturday as CF Montreal host the Philadelphia Union.

Le CFM are second from bottom in the Eastern Conference owing to a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids, putting them a point behind the Union, who are 11th after a 2-0 defeat against Charlotte FC.

We say: CF Montreal 1-0 Philadelphia Union

Both sides have been poor throughout the domestic campaign, but lately Montreal have shown they can earn results at home, which is why we are giving them a slight edge in this match.

New England vs. Columbus Crew (Sunday, 12.30am)

New England Revolution are set to host Columbus Crew at the Gillette Stadium on Saturday in an Eastern Conference clash that could be pivotal for both sides in their quest to qualify for the MLS Cup.

The home side are fourth last in 12th with 19 points, while the visitors are fifth with 30 points, but both teams have played just 17 games and have at least two matches in hand on every other team in the conference.

We say: New England Revolution 0-2 Columbus Crew

Columbus's strong defence could mean that New England find it difficult to break their opponents down.

Additionally, having scored just 17 goals in 17 games, the hosts may struggle to generate enough chances to truly threaten the visitors.

NY Red Bulls vs. DC United (Sunday, 12.30am)

DC United will be seeking to snap their eight-match winless run when they journey to the Red Bull Arena to take on New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

The home side head into the weekend unbeaten in their last nine games against the Black-and-Red and have won each of their most-recent four meetings since a goalless draw in August 2022.

We say: New York Red Bulls 2-0 DC United

New York Red Bulls will be licking their lips as they take on an out-of-sorts DC United side who have struggled for results in recent weeks. The Red Bulls are currently on a dominant run against the visitors and we see them coming away with all three points unscathed.

Dallas vs. Cincinnati (Sunday, 1.30am)

Both aiming to bounce back from defeats last weekend, Dallas and FC Cincinnati will square off at the Toyota Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors have the chance to move to the top of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference standings with a return to winning ways at the weekend, while their hosts trail the playoff wildcard spots by five points and the top seven by seven points in the Western Conference.

We say: Dallas 1-1 FC Cincinnati

Sunday's game promises to be an intriguing one, and while FC Cincinnati have enjoyed the far stronger season thus far, their hosts are gaining confidence and improving under new management.

The hosts' encouraging run, combined with a growing list of absentees for the Orange and Blue, could result in a share of the spoils in Texas.

Houston vs. Charlotte FC (Sunday, 1.30am)

In-form sides Houston Dynamo and Charlotte FC will do battle at the Shell Energy Stadium in round 21 of the 2024 Major League Soccer season.

The hosts are currently on a run of five matches without defeat, while their visitors have lost just one of 10 games heading into this one.

We say: Houston Dynamo 3-2 Charlotte FC

Both sides have been impressive at the top end of the pitch of late which should give rise to an entertaining affair here. That said, we are just about tipping Houston Dynamo to emerge victorious in the end.

Kansas vs. Austin (Sunday, 1.30am)

Two sides that have struggled for form in MLS in recent weeks come together on Sunday when Sporting Kansas City host Austin FC at Children's Mercy Park.

The hosts have been defeated in 10 of their last 11 league fixtures, while the visitors make the trip this weekend with just one win in their last six outings.

We say: Sporting Kansas City 0-2 Austin FC

While Austin returned to winning ways with their victory over Minnesota last weekend, Sporting Kansas' dreadful run continued as they shipped yet another four goals in a 4-0 defeat, leading us to believe the visitors will take all the points here.

Nashville vs. Inter Miami (Sunday, 1.30am)

Inter Miami can end the month unbeaten when they continue their MLS campaign on Saturday against Nashville SC at GEODIS Park.

Both sides have won consecutive league contests, with the Boys in Gold defeating New York City FC 1-0 last week and the Supporters' Shield leaders claiming a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Crew in their previous encounter.

We say: Nashville SC 2-1 Inter Miami

The Herons have shown they have plenty of attacking depth, but against a side like Nashville, which have rediscovered their defensive game, we believe they will struggle to find that moment of magic that Messi and Suarez can provide.

Vancouver vs. St Louis City (Sunday, 3.30am)

After a disappointing two-game road trip, the Vancouver Whitecaps return to BC Place Stadium on Saturday to host St Louis City.

Vancouver dropped to ninth in the MLS Western Conference following a 2-0 defeat to the Portland Timbers, putting them three places above St Louis, who played to a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United the last time out.

We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 St Louis City

St Louis are without an MLS victory as the visitors this season, and we believe that run will continue on Saturday against a side that have much more individual quality than them.

Los Angeles vs. Colorado (Sunday, 3.30am)

Major League Soccer returns with a fresh set of fixtures as high-flying Los Angeles FC and Colorado Rapids go head to head at the BMO Stadium on Saturday.

While the Rapids set out in search of a fourth win on the bounce, Steven Cherundolo's men will be looking to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

We say: Los Angeles FC 3-1 Colorado Rapids

Fresh off the back of dismantling San Jose Earthquakes, Los Angeles FC will head into the weekend with sky-high confidence as they look to continue their fine run of results. While Colorado Rapids have hit their stride of late, they have struggled on their travels, and we fancy the Black and Gold to secure all three points in front of their home supporters.

Portland vs. Minnesota Utd (Sunday, 3.30am)

Two sides aiming to strengthen their positions in the Major League Soccer Western Conference spots will do battle on Saturday, as Portland Timbers welcome Minnesota United to Providence Park.

The visitors have dropped to fifth spot owing to three consecutive defeats, now only two points ahead of their hosts, who have climbed into the top seven with a six-match unbeaten streak.

We say: Portland Timbers 2-0 Minnesota United

While Minnesota United still sit above their hosts in the Conference standings, the two sides' momentum has shifted with the Timbers gaining confidence and the visitors' struggling form.

Having lost some of their confidence without Oluwaseyi's goals, we see the Loons succumbing to a quickly improving Portland Timbers team in Oregon.

Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy (Sunday, 3.30am)

San Jose Earthquakes are set to host Los Angeles Galaxy at PayPal Park on Saturday in an MLS Western Conference clash that could be pivotal for the visitors' Supporters Shield ambitions.

The home side are last with 11 points in both their conference and the Supporters Shield table, while the visitors have 37 points and are third in their conference and fifth in the Supporters Shield.

We say: San Jose Earthquakes 0-4 Los Angeles Galaxy

Although San Jose interim boss Ian Russell will be hoping for a new manager bounce, it is difficult to ignore his side's poor defensive record.

Additionally, LA Galaxy will be keen to try and close the gap to Inter Miami in the Supporters Shield and could look to boost their goal difference on Sunday.

Seattle vs. Chicago Fire (Sunday, 3.30am)

Barely clinging to the playoff zone, the Seattle Sounders will be looking to solidify their position when they take on Chicago Fire on Sunday in a MLS clash between two sides from different conferences.

While the hosts sit ninth in the Western Conference with 25 points from 20 matches, the visitors languish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 18 points from 19 games played.

We say: Seattle Sounders 2-1 Chicago Fire

Heading into this fixture, both history and momentum favors the hosts, which is why we think they will extend their dominance on home soil on Sunday.

The visitors have been on the road for three consecutive match days, and this could also take its toll, especially on a team appearing to lack resilience.