Inter Miami welcome LA Galaxy to Chase Stadium in Florida for a cross-conference MLS clash. Both teams have had very different seasons so far, with the hosts chasing a playoff finish in the East while the visitors remain rooted to the foot of the table in the West.
Inter Milan head into this clash off the back of a 4-1 defeat at Orlando City last time out in the MLS. They will consider that result a minor blip, having gone unbeaten in eight of their last 10 matches, with six wins on this run.
Sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference, Inter Miami will be keen to maintain the pressure on the frontrunners. Javier Mascherano's men will also look to maintain their solid form at Chase Stadium, where they are unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions, picking up five wins on this run.
LA Galaxy, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference table, having picked up just three wins from 25 MLS matches this term. They have shipped a league-high 52 goals this season, with their latest outing ending in a humiliating 4-0 home defeat to Seattle Sounders.
One of the issues plaguing LA Galaxy this season is a poor record on the road as they are yet to earn a single win on their travels so far. They did play out a 3-3 draw with Los Angeles in their previous away fixture, and manager Greg Vanney will be keen to replicate the positives of that performance.
How the bookies view it: Inter Miami on top
Inter Miami are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 8/15 by BoyleSports. An unlikely victory for LA Galaxy is valued at 16/5, while a draw is set at odds of 10/3.
Head to head: Galaxy unbeaten
This will be only the third meeting between both teams, with LA Galaxy unbeaten in the previous two fixtures. The visitors earned a 3-2 away victory in 2021 before playing out a 1-1 home draw last season.
Players to watch: Segovia to deliver
With Lionel Messi still doubtful, Telasco Segovia could step up for Inter Miami, having scored seven goals this season. With Tadeo Allende also finding the net seven times so far, both men could combine to produce over 1.5 goals – valued at 4/11 with BoyleSports.
For the LA Galaxy, Marco Reus has been the standout performer, netting five times this term. His link-up with Christian Ramirez could give the visitors a decent chance of finding the net here (LA Galaxy over 0.5 goals – priced at 2/7).
Probable line-ups:
Messi remains a doubt with a hamstring injury, but first-choice goalkeeper Oscar Ustari is set to return for Inter Miami. Sergio Busquets and Yannick Bright could be the preferred midfield pairing, while Rodrigo de Paul, Segovia, and Allende sit behind Luis Suarez in attack.
For LA Galaxy, Miki Yamane should return at right-back in a defence line that also has Maya Yoshida and Mathias Jorgensen. Diego Fagundez and Edwin Cerrillo should claim a starting berth in midfield, with Reus, Joseph Paintsil, and Matheus Nascimento in attack.
Inter Miami: Ustari, Weigandt, Aviles, Lujan, Alba, Bright, Busquets, Segovia, De Paul, Allende, Suarez
LA Galaxy: Micovic, Yamane, Jorgensen, Yoshida, Aude; Cerrillo, Fagundez, Pec, Reus, Paintsil, Nascimento
Anything else catch the eye?
Inter Miami's last three matches have produced over 3.5 goals – offered at 10/11 by BoyleSports. The hosts have also scored in both halves in their last two home matches (Inter Miami to score in both halves – priced at Evens).
There have been over 1.5 first-half goals in four of LA Galaxy’s last five matches (First half over 1.5 goals – set at Evens). Given the minimal odds for a straight home victory, a win and both teams to score offers more value (Inter Miami win & BTTS YES – valued at 6/4).
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