Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati are set to meet for the second time in less than two weeks, with the hosts eager to exact revenge this time around.
FC Cincinnati handed Lionel Messi̢۪s side a resounding 3-0 defeat on July 17 and currently lead the MLS standings, holding a seven-point advantage over Miami, who still have three games in hand.
Inter Miami
Gerardo Valenzuela̢۪s early strike and a second-half brace from Evander helped FC Cincinnati cruise to a 3-0 win over Inter Miami in their last encounter, snapping the Herons̢۪ six-game unbeaten MLS run and halting a streak of five straight league victories.
Miami responded in emphatic fashion, dismantling the New York Red Bulls 5-1 in their following match, with Lionel Messi netting his sixth brace in just seven league appearances.
Following their Club World Cup campaign â€" where they advanced from the group stage before suffering a 4-0 defeat to PSG in the round of 16 â€" Inter have played only 21 MLS games. That leaves them with three games in hand on each of the four teams above them in the Eastern Conference, where they sit fifth with 41 points.
Javier Mascherano̢۪s men are now targeting another winning run that could take full advantage of those games in hand and potentially propel them back to the top of the table.
Despite beating FC Cincinnati just once in their last eight meetings â€" with five defeats, including three in the last four â€" Miami’s lone victory came on home soil, offering a glimmer of hope heading into this weekend’s rematch.
Team News
Messi and Jordi Alba were absent from the MLS All-Star Game against Liga MX and could face suspension if no official injury explanation is provided. Maximiliano Falcon is already suspended after reaching the yellow card threshold.
If cleared to play, Messi will be aiming for yet another brace, which would see him surpass Nashville’s Sam Surridge in the MLS Golden Boot race â€" both players are currently level with 18 goals.
The Herons will remain without several players: Noah Allen (hamstring), Drake Callender (hernia), Ian Fray (adductor), Oscar Ustari, Baltasar Rodriguez, and Allen Obando (hamstring) are all sidelined.
FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati head into the weekend aiming to make it three wins in a row, having followed their emphatic victory over Inter Miami with a narrow 1-0 triumph against Real Salt Lake, sealed by an 87th-minute goal from substitute Luca Orellano.
That consecutive success has lifted them to the top of both the Eastern Conference and the overall MLS standings, with 48 points from 24 games. Still, they̢۪ll be wary of Inter Miami̢۪s threat and will look to extend their lead at the summit.
The Orange and Blue have won six of their last seven league matches, with the lone setback being a 4-2 loss to rivals Columbus Crew.
On the road, Cincinnati are enjoying a four-game winning streak, though their record in Miami leaves room for improvement â€" just one win and three defeats in their last five visits.
Team News
In terms of absentees, Kevin Denkey and Obinna Nwobodo are sidelined with leg injuries, while Yuya Kubo is out with an ankle issue.
Evander, who had scored in five straight appearances before last weekend, will be eager to find his scoring touch again â€" particularly after his brace against Miami in their recent clash.
Conclusion
Inter Miami may have home advantage and plenty of attacking talent, but FC Cincinnati have shown greater consistency throughout the season and are unbeaten in their last four away matches.
While a tight contest is expected, Miami should have just about enough quality in their ranks to secure a narrow victory.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Olympusbet