Orlando City vs. Nashville (Monday, 11.00pm)
© Reuters
For the second time in three seasons, Orlando City and Nashville SC will face each other in the opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs, this time in a best-of-three series beginning on Monday at Exploria Stadium.
The Lions ended the regular season with a 2-0 win versus Toronto, finishing second in the Eastern Conference, while the Boys in Gold wound up seventh after losing their last encounter 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls.
We say: Orlando City 2-0 Nashville SC
When your one reliable goalscorer is struggling as much as Mukhtar is at the moment, it is not a good sign for Nashville, who seem to rely almost exclusively on him to do everything in the attack.
Orlando, meanwhile, have found balance and consistency in all facets this season, and that should serve them well for this opening encounter.
How to watch
You can watch Orlando City vs. Nashville SC and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Seattle vs. Dallas (Tuesday, 1.00am)
© Reuters
An old MLS Cup playoff rivalry will be renewed this weekend as the Seattle Sounders host Dallas in the first match of a best-of-three series on Sunday at Lumen Field.
The Rave Green finished the regular season with a 2-0 win over St Louis City as they wound up second in the Western Conference, while the Toros defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy 4-1 in their last fixture before the playoffs and came in seventh.
We say: Seattle Sounders 1-0 Dallas
All season long, Dallas have got by because of solid defensive play, but the Sounders can play that game just as well, if not better, and we believe the overall quality of the Rave Green will enable them to capture this opening encounter.
How to watch
You can watch Seattle Sounders vs. Dallas and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Barney Corkhill
