Prediction: Inter Miami vs Toronto FC

Verdict: Inter Miami win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Making a return to MLS action in the early hours of Thursday, Inter Miami will welcome Toronto to the Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami

Starting with the hosts, last seen putting in a nightmare performance as they fell to a 6-1 drumming at the hands of Cincinnati, Inter Miami are desperately seeking an immediate response here. Battling it out at the top of the Eastern Conference table and tipped as a leading title contender, Gerardo Martino’s men have gained a fearsome reputation since opening up the 2024 campaign. Getting July underway with a 2-1 victory away at Charlotte, the former Barcelona boss has seen his squad muster 12 points from their previous five MLS appearances. Likewise, remarkably losing just a pair of their previous 17 top-flight battles, the Herons will also be excited to make a return to Fort Lauderdale here. Last seen at the Chase Stadium claiming a 2-1 win against Columbus on June 20th, Inter Miami should be smelling a golden opportunity in the early hours of Thursday.

Team News

Suffering an ankle during Argentina’s Copa America success against Colombia in the early hours of Monday, Inter Miami will be unable to call upon eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi here. However, after securing a bronze medal finish with Uruguay last weekend, former Barcelona talisman Luis Suarez should make a full return at the Chase Stadium.

In what looks set to be a huge boost in the early hours of Thursday, ex-Spain international Jordi Alba will feature after serving a one-match suspension against Cincinnati last time out. Argentinian youngster Facundo Farias is still dealing with a long-term knee injury and will not play any part here.

Toronto FC

As for the visitors, making a much-needed return to winning ways last weekend as they clung to a 2-1 victory at home against Philadelphia, Toronto are desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, once again showing a string of issues since opening up the 2024 campaign, the Reds have lost each of their other seven appearances across all competitions and have a real battle on their hands in the race to book a play-off ticket. Shockingly crashing out of the Canadian Cup on July 11th as they slumped to a 2-1 loss away at Forge, John Herdman’s men have also gained a reputation for their glaring struggles away from BMO Field. In fact, Toronto have lost all of their previous four consecutive battles outside of Ontario across all formats by an aggregate score of 11-2.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Toronto will be unable to call upon the duo of Tyrese Spicer and former Dallas youngster Brandon Servania in the early hours of Thursday. However, ahead of their trip to the Chase Stadium, Herdman’s camp have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh issues to worry about.

Making the move from Premier League giants Newcastle earlier in the year, Matthew Longstaff will start at the heart of Toronto’s midfield. While former Napoli talisman Lorenzo Insigne might have been forced to settle for a spot on the bench against Philadelphia last weekend, the 33-year-old could be handed an immediate recall.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Inter Miami and Toronto last met back on September 21st, the Herons stormed their way to a 4-0 romp at the Chase Stadium.
• Thursday’s hosts have suffered just a pair of defeats from any of their previous 17 consecutive MLS appearances.
• Toronto have lost all of their last four away fixtures across all competitions by an aggregate score of 11-2.
• Despite an infamous 6-1 loss against Cincinnati last time out, Inter Miami have collected 12 points from their previous five MLS appearances.
• Toronto have collected just a pair of points from any of their last six MLS showdowns away from BMO Field.

Conclusion

Making their MLS return in the early hours of Thursday, Inter Miami will be desperate to make a statement of intent here. Battling it out at the top of the Eastern Conference table, the Herons have collected 12 points from their previous five appearances and they should be smelling a golden opportunity at the Chase Stadium. Storming their way to a stellar 4-0 romp when they welcomed Toronto to town last season, they will be seeking a repeat performance in the early hours of Thursday. With the Reds losing all of their last four straight showdowns away from BMO Field by an aggregate score of 11-2, we are backing a home victory here.

Verdict: Inter Miami win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Luckster