Valencia can break quickly from a midfield turnover, while Villarreal can regain territory and send several receivers into the box. Montréal can also find an early direct pass, but Nashville have more than one route to Surridge. In each match, the decisive question is whether the first lead survives the next wave of supply.
Valencia's De Haas and Guerra have shown that direct release, yet their midfield connection faded after taking the lead at Racing. Villarreal reached repeated chances against Elche without Pépé, with Moleiro finding space and Akhomach or Cardona supplying wide. Pépé also missed their Liverpool match, where other attackers still produced direct goals; Valencia's two matches under Aguirre have not shown the same sustained finishing and lead protection. I'm siding with Villarreal to be the side more able to turn repeated entries into a win, while allowing for a level finish.
Nashville can build through Mukhtar, deliver from Najar or Espinoza, or go directly to Surridge. Montréal's Owusu played the full cup final after missing its last league match but is now officially out, and Neal is out after playing at Seattle. Nashville's core is clear on the current official status report, while Montréal's cup load follows recent leads lost against Seattle and Toronto. I expect Nashville's later supply to keep finding the box, and I'm siding with Nashville to win.
