Inter Miami vs Nashville: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Inter Miami host Nashville this weekend, hoping to strengthen their position at the top of the Eastern Conference in the MLS.

Date: 21/04/24

Kick-off time: 00:30

Venue: Chase Stadium

Despite a slight dip in recent form, Inter Miami still occupy top spot in the Eastern Conference. They are on 15 points after nine games, level with New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew, though these two teams have a game in hand. Philadelphia Union are just three points back and have three games in hand, meaning Miami’s place at the top is not secure by any means. Victory against Nashville would ensure they maintain their position, but any dropped points would almost certainly be taken advantage of by those around them.

Nashville, in contrast, are second bottom with seven points after seven games played. They are just three points above New England Revolution, who are bottom. However, with the season still so young, they can surge up the standings with a string of good results. They trail seventh place Atlanta United by three points, and a victory this weekend could see them move up a few places should results go their way.

Both teams concede plenty of goals, with Inter’s 14 the highest tally in the league. The visitors are just behind having allowed 13 goals. The hosts have conceded at least two goals in each of their last four games, presenting the opportunity for their opponents to get on the scoresheet. Their biggest threat is likely to come from Sam Surridge, who has scored twice this season. Hany Mukhtar has found the back of the net just once so far, but was last season’s top scorer with 15. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are of course the main focus for Inter, and the pair have combined for 11 goals already.

Since 2021, these two teams have met five times in MLS. Nashville have just edged the head-to-head with two wins and a draw. The only win for Inter Miami came in August 2021 in which they came out on top 2-1. This will be the first meeting in the league this season, but have faced off in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Miami won both games with an aggregate of 5-3.

Inter Miami

Midfielder Federico Redondo will be sidelined for approximately six more weeks with a knee injury. Leonardo Campana was taken with an injury against Colorado and has not played in the two games since.

Nashville

Nashville have a few injury concerns, with Shaq Moore, Walker Zimmerman and Randall Leal expected back later this month. Tyler Boyd is hopeful of making a return in early May.

Inter Miami

In their last five games, Inter Miami have won one, drawn two and lost two. It was in their most recent game in which they picked up their only victory, as they were 3-2 winners away at Sporting KC. They got off to a slow start as Erik Thommy broke the deadlock for the hosts just six minutes in. Inter were able to get back on level terms shortly after though through Diego Gomez. Lionel Messi then put his side ahead with a stunning strike from outside the box, but they were pegged back by Thommy’s second of the game. Luis Suarez grabbed the winner with under 20 minutes to go to secure a big three points.

It was the perfect response to crashing out of the Champions Cup, as they lost 3-1 and 5-2 on aggregate to Mexican side Monterrey. The home side already had a comfortable lead which they added to in the first half, before scoring two more in the second half to make it 3-0 on the night. Gomez scored a late consolation after Jordi Alba saw red. The first leg ended 2-1 to their opponents, but Inter took the lead first through Tomas Aviles. The game was turned on its head in the second half, not helped by a red card for midfielder David Ruiz. In between these two ties was a 2-2 home draw against Colorado, in which both teams took a lead. It was Colorado who scored first from the spot on the stroke of half-time, before Messi and Leonardo Afonso turned it around. Disappointingly, they conceded in the 88th minute to drop two points.

The first game of this run was a 1-1 draw at home to New York City. In the absence of Messi, Suarez led the team in attack, and scored the opener 14 minutes in. However, this was cancelled out before the break by Alonso Martinez, and this was the last goal action of the game, ensuring the points were shared.

Nashville

In their last five games, Nashville have won one, drawn one and lost three. It has been a poor run of form for Nashville early on in the season. This stretch started in defeat to this weekend’s opponents as they lost 3-1 in the second leg of a Round of 16 Champions Cup tie. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were both on the scoresheet early, before Robert Taylor added a third. A late consolation from Sam Surridge ensured they got on the board, but they lost the tie 5-3 on aggregate.

They made a good response to this setback with a 2-1 win at home to Charlotte in the league. They took a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Surridge and Alex Muyl, but Brecht Dejaegere pulled one back for the hosts in first-half stoppage time. It was an even game, but the visitors could not find an equaliser. The momentum gained from this win was not carried forward as they were crushed 5-0 at LAFC. The hosts started quickly, with two goals in the opening 20 minutes. A third was added shortly after the restart, seemingly putting the game to bed. Joe Willis saw red which put Nashville in an even more difficult position. They went on to concede two more, in what was a nightmare of a game.

Their only draw in this period followed, with a 2-2 result at home to Columbus. Sean Zawadski put their opponent in front, but two stoppage time strikes from Hany Mukhtar and Anibal Godoy turned it around before half-time. They conceded an equaliser with just over 10 minutes to go. They hosted Philadelphia Union in their most recent game, but lost 2-1. Surridge gave them the lead, but this was cancelled out by Julian Carranza before Daniel Gazdag scored a 90th minute winner.

Both teams have endured a poor run of form, with a much needed three points on the line to get either back on track. However, we expect Inter Miami to prevail, especially at home and with the firepower they possess in attack with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez – Inter Miami 3-1 Nashville

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Inter Miami vs Nashville will be available to watch on Apple TV.

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