Nashville SC vs. LAFC MLS Picks and Predictions: May 17, 2026
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Sat May 16, 2026, 1:25 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
MLS
There are two matches in the MLS on Sunday. The earlier contest between Inter Miami and the Portland Timbers should be entertaining, but our experts found picks in the later match between Nashville SC and LAFC. We have two of the best in the entire league going head to head, as LAFC is in the mix in the Western Conference while Nashville stands alone on top of the East. Will they add to their point total on Sunday at GEODIS Park?
- MLS YTD
- 16-13 (55.2%)
- +3.73u
- Average Odds: +116
Check out the best odds on the market at our top online sportsbooks, for tons of picks in different soccer leagues across the world.
Nashville SC vs. LAFC MLS Betting Insights
Son Heung-Min leads LAFC with eight assists this season, but he has yet to bag a goal
These two teams rarely go head to head. In fact they did not play last season, and have only gone head to head four times. LAFC beat Nashville in Music City 2-1 in 2022. But Nashville got their revenge in LA later that season, winning 1-0. In 2023, they drew 1-1 in Nashville in their only meeting, and in March of 2024, their last contest, LAFC spanked them 5-0 at BMO Stadium. But clearly things are different now.
Nashville is second in the East in goals scored despite being on the top of the table, but they lead the league in goals allowed. This backline has given up just eight goals in their 12 matches so far this MLS season. LAFC started the season with six straight shutouts, but have allowed 14 total goals in their last seven matches. Plus you could argue that they are in terrible form at the moment, going 2-2-4 in their last eight matches, including losing three straight.
Matchup Information – Nashville SC vs. LAFC – May 17
- Venue & Location: GEODIS Park (Nashville, TN)
- Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
- Kick Off: 8:00 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: Apple TV
Nashville SC vs. LAFC Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of our friends at Lucky Rebel Sportsbook as of May 17, 2026, at 12:56 p.m. eastern. Sign up today and get a $1,250 deposit bonus and 50 slot spins., and start betting at the sportsbook with the most competitive odds in the industry, and a wide variety of unique markets not offered anywhere else.
Moneyline
- Nashville SC +113
- Draw +240
- LAFC +235
Draw No Bet
- Nashville SC -175
- LAFC +150
Total
- Over 2.5 (-120)
- Under 2.5 (+100)
Nashville SC vs. LAFC MLS Picks and Predictions
Sam Surridge has nine goals for Nashville in just seven matches
Best Bet: Nashville SC/LAFC Under 2.5 (+100) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
As I said above, LAFC is slipping. Not only have they lost three straight, they've allowed 10 and netted just two goals during that stretch. This includes a 4-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo at home, losing to Toluca 4-0 on the road in the Champions Cup, and a 2-1 loss at St. Louis on Wednesday. I have lost a lot of faith in their offensive production, especially on the road against the best back line in the entire league.
However, defensively, LAFC should be able to hang, and I trust them to fix those issues quicker than the ones on the attacking side. Despite losing two games to Tigres UANL in the Champions Cup, Nashville is coming off a shutout win over New England on the road. They are unbeaten. in six straight MLS matches, including an impressive 4-0-1 record at GEODIS Park.
Feel free to pair Nashville with an inflated under if you wanted a side. The hosts with the under 4.5 is priced at +155 on Lucky Rebel. This is a potential MLS Cup Final Preview, and I see it playing as such. Very tight, very cautious, as LAFC tries to fix their form against a tough opponent on the road. Nashville will look to avoid giving up points at home, leading me to believe they focus on defense.
Prediction: Nashville Wins 1-0 (+750)
Still Want More Soccer Content?
Here at Betting News, we offer Free Expert Picks for every major sports league. We also host daily streams on our Twitch Channel with our best bets, as well as sweat out games on Playback! Be sure to tune into everything we have going on at our Youtube, TikTok, and X pages as well. Be sure to follow my personal X account as well, @Shaggy_Bets for my full daily card.
- FIFA World Cup Betting Guide
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Futures
- World Cup Match Schedule
- MLS Season Preview
- Expert Soccer Picks
More MLS News
MLS Betting News
MLS Picks and Predictions for May 24, 2026
MLS Betting News
MLS Picks and Predictions for May 23, 2026
MLS Betting News
MLS Picks and Predictions for May 16, 2026
MLS Betting News
MLS Picks and Predictions for May 13, 2026
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER
Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.