Prediction: Nashville vs Inter Miami

Verdict: Draw or Inter Miami

Best odds: 83/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Miami travels to Nashville looking to extend their lead in the MLS Eastern Conference. The match will be played at Geodis Park where 30, 000 fans will be disappointed to miss Messi’s presence who is out with national team duties for Argentina in the Copa America tournament.

Nashville

Following an excellent run with a single defeat in the last eight league games, Nashville climbed in the rankings to a playoff position. While the hosts started their current MLS campaign on a front foot being undefeated in the first four rounds (W1D3), losing to Los Angeles FC was the sign of an unexpected fall.

Despite conceding just three goals in the initial five rounds, the trip to LA was like a cold shower after Los Angeles inflicted Nashville’s biggest defeat this term. Although the LA club was 2-0 up by halftime, the visitors’ second-half complete surrender brought one of Nashville’s most shameful defeats after conceding 3 more goals to end on their knees with a shameful 5-0 defeat.

Furthermore, with no signs of improvements, the 5-0 loss followed other disappointing results (3 wins, 2 draws and a single win), the club decided to part ways with manager Gary Smith after a spell that lasted 6 years throughout the second and first league and, to appoint Rumba Munthali as head coach.

The change had an instant impact on teams’ performance resulting in a single loss in seven games. Furthermore, the young Zambian manager impressed with exceptional results by defeating Cincinnati, Toronto and New York City. More so, it was the first time the hosts secured a pair of consecutive wins this season, propelling the team to a playoff spot.

The hosts can take advantage of a weak Inter Miami who will be without their best players, Messi and Suarez, attempting to secure a 3rd consecutive win that will consolidate their table position.

Team News

The left winger Randall Leal is not expected to make a full recovery anytime soon after suffering a terrible hip injury. The talented Costa Rican player has already missed 11 matches and the medical staff has predicted a longer recovery time. Furthermore, centre-back Lukas MacNaughton has undergone surgery on his left foot that will see him missing many games.

Inter Miami

Inter Miami are on the course of making history by securing their first-ever MLS title. Bringing former Barcelona stars like Messi, Suarez, Busquets and Jordi Alba finally paid off, with the new star-studded squad in pole position to win the Eastern Conference.

The Argentinian boss Gerardo Martino took Inter Miami to another level by successfully getting the best of Messi and Suarez showed a glimpse of their golden era spent at Barcelona where they won all the club trophies. Despite a slow start of the campaign, with just a pair of wins in the opening eight rounds, Inter Miami started to click from the 9th round, failing a single time since then.

Furthermore, the visitors won nine games during this period, an impressive run that propelled the Miami side to the top of the table with a two-point lead over second-place FC Cincinnati. Although the visitors failed to impress at Chase Stadium from Miami after securing just six wins from 11 games, the story is different on the road where Messi&Co lost a single game this term.

Despite Messi and Suarez missing the last two games performing national team duties at Copa America, Inter Miami played at the highest level by defeating Philadelphia Union away and Columbus Crew at home with the same score (2-1). With Suarez and Messi expected to reach the final stages of the Copa America, Inter Miami must maintain a high tempo to retain their leadership position on their best players’ return.

Team News

With Messi and Suarez out of the team, Leonardo Campagna and Benjamin Cremaschi successfully filled the void left by the two superstars. Furthermore, Leonardo Campagna displayed his high level against Columbus Crew by scoring the second goal for Inter Miami.

Key factors to consider

• Nashville lost a single match from their last 8 played in the MLS
• The hosts are in top form winning at Toronto and at home against New York City
• Inter Miami faces Nashville without their best players, Messi and Suarez who are playing at Copa America
• The visitors’ last two wins maintained their top-spot position with a two-point lead over FC Cincinnati

Conclusion

Although Inter Miami will be without Messi and Suarez for their 3rd championship game, the players who replaced the two superstars proved capable of playing at the highest level, leading Inter Miami to maintain their top spot in the standings with two consecutive wins.

Verdict: Draw or Inter Miami

Best odds: 83/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet