Inter Miami VS. Philadelphia: Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

With a victory and some assistance from Inter Miami in Saturday's match at Chase Stadium, the Philadelphia Union may move over the Eastern Conference playoff line.

After a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Fire, Miami jumped to a seven-point lead over the Los Angeles Galaxy atop MLS. Philadelphia slipped to a two-point deficit despite a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls in their last match.

Previous Matches and head-to-head

Inter Miami pulled away from the field, turning what was going to be a tight fight between a few clubs for the Supporters' Shield trophy into a rout.

With their current four-game winning streak, Tata Martino's squad has an eight-point lead over FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference.

If the Herons win their last seven league games, they will break the record established by DC United and the Galaxy in 1998 for most wins in a single regular season, which is 24.

Meanwhile, if they win five more games, they would tie the 2021 New England Revolution for most points in a Major League Soccer regular season with 73.

With a win on Saturday, Miami can tie their record for longest winning streak in a domestic campaign (2024) with five, and they can tie their record for most home victories (10) achieved in a single season (2022) with a victory.

Except a 1-1 tie against New York City FC, the Herons have only lost one league match all season in 2024 when they scored first.

Witnessing the Union battle for a playoff place this late in the season in Philadelphia is one of the uncommon spectacles we are not used to seeing.

This club has been in the top four in the Eastern Conference for the last five MLS seasons running, but they are now seven games short of a postseason berth and haven't been in that position since 2017.

Jim Curtin's squad has surrendered 43 goals after 27 domestic matchdays, the most since 2019 (50).

If they win this weekend, they will tie their record from 2023 (five) for most away losses in this tournament, which stands at four.

The Eagles have lost three of their last four matches against the Heat in all competitions, with the lone victory coming in 2022 at Chase Stadium, a 2-1 victory.

Inter Miami x Philadelphia Team News

Lawson Sunderland is nursing a hamstring injury, and Leo Afonso is nursing a groin strain. Lionel Messi might make his Miami comeback from his ankle injury this weekend, but we don't expect him to play a full game due to his recent return to training.

With an ACL rupture keeping Facundo Farias out for the season, Tomas Aviles may return from his suspension for yellow cards, while Nicolas Freire's status is still uncertain.

The Herons took the lead in late August with Tobias Salquist's own goal. Luis Suarez scored twice, bringing his season total to sixteen goals. He now has two goals behind Christian Benteke for the MLS Golden Boot. Robert Taylor scored the game-winning goal, his fifth of the regular season.

Isaiah LeFlore missed the previous game due to a right knee injury, while Nathan Harriel was a bench option for the Philadelphia Eagles but did not play in their most recent encounter due to a prior knock.

Danley Jean Jacques, Andre Blake, Jesus Bueno, and Daniel Gazdag were all summoned for international service last week, but they should all be available.

Tai Baribo scored seven goals for the league season in their last match, tying him for second place on the squad. However, Mikael Uhre scored the winning goal only four minutes into the game.

Our prediction

Inter Miami to win @ 1.52 on Sky247.ng

For some reason, Miami usually finds a way to win, no matter who's starting for them. We don't see that changing against a Philly team that has been somewhat erratic this season.

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