Verdict: Inter Miami win
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to extend their buffer at the top of the Eastern Conference table this weekend, Inter Miami will welcome Chicago Fire to the Chase Stadium in the early hours of Sunday.
Inter Miami
Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to winning ways earlier in the week as they stormed their way to a routine 3-1 victory against Toronto, Inter Miami will be looking to make another statement here. Holding a two-point buffer at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, the Herons have embarked on a real flurry since opening up the 2024 campaign. Signing off June with a 2-1 win away at Nashville, Gerardo Martino’s side have collected 12 points from their previous five MLS appearances. Pencilled in as a standout Eastern Conference title contender this season, the one-time Barcelona boss has also seen his squad gain a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third. Likewise, it should also be highlighted, Inter Miami have suffered just a single MLS defeat at the Chase Stadium since the start of March.
Team News
Suffering an ankle injury as Argentina were crowned Copa America champions thanks to a 1-0 victory against Colombia earlier in the week, Inter Miami will be unable to call upon eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi here. Likewise, all still dealing with respective injury issues, the Herons will also be without the likes of Facundo Farias, Nicolas Freire and USA international Robbie Robinson.
However, missing out against Toronto in midweek after serving a one-match suspension, former Barcelona superstar Sergio Busquets will make a full return in the early hours of Sunday. Grabbing a Copa America bronze medal last weekend, Uruguayan record-breaker Luis Suarez could make a first MLS start since June 2nd.
Chicago Fire
As for the visitors, springing a real upset earlier in the week as they secured a shock 1-0 victory away at Cincinnati, Chicago will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. However, still scrapping it out at the foot of the Eastern Conference table, the Fire have continued to struggle with their consistency since opening up the 2024 campaign. Signing off June with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Seattle, Frank Klopas’ men have collected consecutive MLS wins on just a single occasion so far this season. While Chicago might open Sunday’s showdown at the Chase Stadium pencilled in as a landslide underdog, the Illinois-based outfit will be hugely excited by a remarkable record against the Herons. In fact, storming their way to a stunning 4-1 victory when they welcomed Inter Miami to Soldier Field nine months ago, they have won each of their previous three battles by an aggregate score of 10-4.
Team News
Missing out against Cincinnati earlier in the week and still dealing with a recent knock, former Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri is not expected to feature at the Chase Stadium. Likewise, not making a single appearance across any competition since the end of May, ex-New York Red Bulls defender Andrew Gutman remains on the sidelines and will not travel to Miami.
Coming off the bench and bagging that shock winner away at Cincinnati on Thursday, 21-year-old Brian Gutirrez should be handed a full recall here. Notching six MLS strikes since the end of May, one-time Olympiacos striker Hugo Cuypers will spearhead Chicago’s attack.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Inter Miami and Chicago Fire last met nine months ago, Sunday’s guests collected a shock 4-1 romp at Soldier Field.
- Likewise, Chicago have remarkably won all of their previous three showdowns against the Herons by an aggregate score of 10-4.
- Inter Miami have collected 12 points from their previous five MLS appearances.
- Chicago have recorded consecutive MLS clean sheets for the first time since opening up the 2024 campaign.
- Sunday’s hosts have seen all of their last nine appearances across all competitions finish with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
While Chicago might have remarkably won all of their previous three showdowns against Sunday’s hosts by an aggregate score of 10-4, the Fire certainly face what is a heavyweight challenge here. Watching Inter Miami make an immediate return to winning ways earlier in the week as they stormed their way to a 3-1 victory against Toronto, the Eastern Conference leaders will be looking to make another statement of intent at the Chase Stadium. Mustering 12 points from their previous five MLS appearances, we are backing a home win this weekend.
Verdict: Inter Miami win
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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