Wednesday's Major League Soccer predictions including Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami

Columbus Crew vs. Nashville (Wednesday, 11.30pm)

Columbus Crew will be looking to strengthen their hold of a top-four spot in the Eastern Conference table when they host Nashville SC on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, the visitors to Lower.com Field sit just seven points adrift of their hosts, albeit having played two games more.

We say: Columbus Crew 2-1 Nashville SC

With both teams having won two of their last three games, this is a difficult one to predict, particularly when Nashville have started to impress on their travels. However, we are backing Columbus Crew to come through in a tight game, perhaps through a late goal.

Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami (Thursday, 12.30am)

Inter Miami will embark on a two-game MLS road trip, beginning on Wednesday when they face Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina.

An early goal conceded over the weekend sent the Crown to a 1-0 defeat versus the Houston Dynamo, while the Herons hung onto a 2-1 result against Nashville SC.

We say: Charlotte FC 1-2 Inter Miami

The victories without Messi and Suarez are not as pretty, but they still count, and the Herons have been able to remain consistent despite plenty of rotation, and that belief could propel them to another triumph this week.

DC United vs. Cincinnati (Thursday, 12.30am)

DC United are set to host FC Cincinnati at Audi Field on Thursday in an Eastern Conference MLS clash that could be pivotal for the away side's Supporters Shield ambitions.

The home side are 13th in their conference with 20 points while the visitors are second with 42, just two from Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference and the overall Supporters Shield table.

We say: DC United 0-2 FC Cincinnati

Cincinnati's excellent away form should see them come into the Thursday's clash as strong favourites.

Additionally, DC United have struggled at home in recent matches and their overall form suggests that they may find it difficult to achieve a positive outcome against high-flying Cincinnati.

NY City vs. Montreal (Thursday, 12.30am)

Making their first-ever visit to Citi Field, CF Montreal begin the month of July by facing New York City FC on Wednesday in the 21st MLS match for both sides.

This past weekend, the Pigeons moved up to fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 4-2 triumph over Orlando City, while Le CFM defeated the Philadelphia Union by that same score, putting them in 10th.

We say: New York City FC 2-0 CF Montreal

The Boys in Blue have shown much more consistency and compactness defensively when compared to Montreal, which is why we project they will win another home contest in midweek.

Toronto vs. Orlando City (Thursday, 12.30am)

Toronto can end a lengthy losing run in Major League Soccer when they return to BMO Field on Wednesday to face Orlando City.

Over the weekend, the Reds lost 2-1 to Atlanta United, their fourth straight defeat in this competition, while the Lions saw a two-match unbeaten run end, losing 4-2 at New York City FC.

We say: Toronto 2-2 Orlando City

Neither side have been very convincing on the back end or proven they can put a game to bed, which is why we project an exciting stalemate in this one.

New England vs. Atlanta (Thursday, 12.45am)

New England Revolution are set to host Atlanta United at the Gillette Stadium on Thursday in an Eastern Conference MLS clash that could be pivotal for each side in their quest to qualify for the MLS Cup.

The home team are 14th in their conference with 19 points while the visitors are ninth with 24 points and occupy the division's final MLS Cup playoff spot.

We say: New England Revolution 1-1 Atlanta United

Although New England come into the game in strong form, Atlanta have proved to be resilient under interim manager Valentino.

Additionally, Thursday's match could be a closely fought contest given the potential MLS Cup ramifications for both sides.

Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia (Thursday, 1.30am)

Both fighting to end tough runs and climb towards the playoff spots in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference standings, Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union will square off at Soldier Field on Thursday.

The hosts have dropped to the foot of the division following back-to-back defeats, while their visitors are only two points better off in the midst of a four-match losing streak.

We say: Chicago Fire 1-1 Philadelphia Union

Both teams head into Thursday's contest lacking confidence and momentum as a result of their recent ruts, and we anticipate a hard-fought game with three crucial points on the line.

Having both struggled for consistent victories, we see a low-scoring draw as the most likely outcome and anticipate the sides sharing the spoils at Soldier Field.

Minnesota Utd vs. Vancouver (Thursday, 1.30am)

A pair of MLS sides narrowly above the Western Conference playoff line will square off on Wednesday at Allianz Field as the Vancouver Whitecaps visit Minnesota United.

The Loons are seventh in the conference following a dramatic 3-2 defeat to the Portland Timbers, putting them a point above the Caps, who won a 4-3 thriller against St Louis City this past weekend.

We say: Minnesota United 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

While the Caps scored some sensational goals last weekend, they also showed their vulnerabilities along the backline, and we do not believe their individual quality will save them again on Wednesday.

St Louis City vs. Earthquakes (Thursday, 1.30am)

Fresh off the departure of manager Bradley Carnell, St Louis City will welcome San Jose Earthquakes to CITYPARK on Thursday.

He leaves with the hosts sat 12th in the Major League Soccer Western Conference standings in the midst of a nine-match winless streak, while their opponents are eight points worse off at the bottom of the division and also under interim management after Luchi Gonzalez's exit in late June.

We say: St Louis City 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes

St Louis City will hope to feel more impact from a managerial change than their visitors did at the weekend, and we back them to end their rut on home turf against a San Jose Earthquakes side equally lacking any momentum in the MLS.

Salt Lake vs. Houston (Thursday, 2.30am)

Real Salt Lake will be looking to bounce back from a rare defeat last time out when they welcome Houston Dynamo to America First Field on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the away side make the trip to Utah in search of a third consecutive victory to continue their recent resurgence.

We say: Real Salt Lake 3-1 Houston Dynamo

The teams boast similar defensive numbers heading into this one but Real Salt Lake have been vastly superior at the top end of the pitch and we are backing them to emerge victorious at the sound of the final whistle here.