Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati: USA MLS Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

For their second meeting in as many weeks, Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati will meet, and this time, the hosts are hell-bent on winning. FC Cincinnati is now leading the Major League Soccer standings with seven points, seven ahead of the Herons, who have a game in hand, after humiliating Lionel Messi's Miami 3-0 on July 17.

Previous Matches and Head-to-Head

Inter Miami and its stars were shut out in Cincinnati's previous match thanks to goals from Gerardo Valenzuela and a brace from Evander in the second half. This ended Miami's six-match unbeaten streak in the league and their five-game winning streak in the MLS.

Messi scored a brace in his seventh league game, but the Herons replied forcefully in their next match, defeating the New York Red Bulls 5-1.

With just 21 games under their MLS belt, Inter Miami has competed in the Club World Cup, where they advanced to the quarterfinals before losing 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain. Currently, they sit fifth in the Eastern Conference, three games ahead of the four teams directly above them, with 41 points.

Now that they have a chance to get back to the top of the league, Javier Mascherano's squad will try to put together another winning streak and make the most of the games they still have left.

Despite losing five of their last eight matches against FC Cincinnati, including three of their previous four, the fact that their lone win came on home turf should give them hope.

Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati is looking to extend its winning streak to three games after defeating Real Salt Lake 1-0 in the 87th minute on the power of a goal scored by substitute Luca Orellano.

With 48 points after 24 games, they have topped the Eastern Conference and the league standings thanks to their back-to-back victories. However, they will be wary of Inter Miami's threat and eager to extend their lead.

With a 4-2 loss against the Columbus Crew as their lone loss in their previous seven league games, the Orange and Blue have won six of their last seven. 

They are riding a four-game winning streak away from home, but their record in Miami isn't exactly stellar, with three losses and one win in their last five trips.

Inter Miami FC Cincinnati Team News

Messi, Jordi Alba, and Maximiliano Falcon are all out with yellow cards; Maximiliano Falcon missed the MLS All-Star Game against Liga MX, and there has been no official reason for their absence. Therefore, they may be suspended for this match.

If Messi does make an appearance, he will be looking to tie Sam Surridge of Nashville for the Major League Soccer Golden Boot with 18 goals scored. A brace would put him over Surridge in the competition.

Allen Obando (hamstring), Ian Fray (adductor), Oscar Ustari (hamstring), Drake Callender (hernia), and Noah Allen (hamstring) will all miss more Herons games.

Injuries to Kevin Denkey's and Obinna Nwobodo's legs, as well as Yuya Kubo's ankle, will keep them out of Cincinnati's lineup.

Evander, who had scored in five straight games before last weekend, will be eager to get back on track after scoring twice against Miami in their most recent match.

Our predictions

Full-time draw @ 4.20 on Sky247.ng

Despite Inter Miami's firepower and home-field advantage, FC Cincinnati has been the more reliable team all season and has gone undefeated on the road.

We anticipate a tight matchup, but the Orange and Blue will come out on top, thanks to their recent form, which has drawn them even with Messi and his elite squad.

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