With three games in hand, Inter Miami is now just a stone’s throw away from fourth place: three points separate the Florida club from the Crew, but even the top of the Eastern Conference table is not that far away. Javier Mascherano’s team has returned from the Club World Cup rejuvenated, as if it had gained greater awareness: since their defeat in the round of 16 against PSG, Inter Miami has won two games, the latest in a midweek catch-up match against New England Revolution, who they beat 2-1 at home.
The star of these two matches was, needless to say, Leo Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored twice on Wednesday, his fourth in a row after his goals in Montreal (a stunning strike in which he practically drank half the defense), Columbus, and again in Montreal. Mascherano is obviously counting on him in the exciting head-to-head clash with Nashville, the team that occupies second place in the Eastern Conference and has not lost since April (five wins in a row, including the US Open Cup victory over DC United). Both teams are in good form, so we are likely to see an entertaining match with at least one goal apiece: will Inter Miami’s prolific attack manage to breach the Eastern Conference’s least beaten defense at least once?
Staying in the East, Philadelphia Union will be looking to turn the page after two consecutive defeats in head-to-head clashes with Columbus and Nashville, which saw them lose the top spot in the Eastern Conference: the home match against the New York Red Bulls is the perfect opportunity to end their losing streak. Orlando City, another team aiming for the playoffs, should return to winning ways against Montreal, who are still bottom of the Eastern Conference: the Canadians have picked up their form recently, but problems remain, especially in their own half (40 goals conceded and the worst defense).
Predictions for the other matches
In the Western Conference, there is a long-distance battle between San Diego, away to Chicago, and Vancouver, who face Colorado Rapids on the road.
The Californians, who are top of the Western Conference, have one point more in the standings but remain within striking distance of being overtaken. In this round, both teams will most likely manage to avoid defeat, although keeping a clean sheet will be difficult. For those looking for goals, our tip is to watch the matches between Minnesota United and San Jose Earthquakes and between Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo, two games that promise to be quite eventful.
MLS: possible winners
Philadelphia Union (in Philadelphia Union-New York Red Bulls)
Orlando City (in Orlando City-Montreal)
San Diego or draw (in Chicago Fire-San Diego)
Vancouver Whitecaps or draw (in Colorado Rapids-Vancouver Whitecaps)
Matches with at least three goals in total
Cincinnati-Columbus Crew
Minnesota United-San Jose Earthquakes
Real Salt Lake-Houston Dynamo
MLS: matches with at least one goal per team
Inter Miami-Nashville
Chicago Fire-San Diego
Colorado Rapids-Vancouver Whitecaps
Odds comparison
Orlando’s victory is priced at 1.37 on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai. The “Goal” bet in Inter Miami-Nashville is priced at 1.42 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.40 on Snai.
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