The top two in Group A in the Club World Cup meet in Miami in the early hours of Tuesday morning as Inter Miami take on Palmeiras.
Inter Miami were left frustrated in their group opener, as they played out a goalless draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly last Sunday.
They were then a goal down against Porto after just eight minutes in their second group match, but Javier Mascherano’s men turned it around in the second half, with goals from Telasco Segovia and a trademark Lionel Messi free kick, gifted The Herons three points and gave our man Adam a 3/1 winner.
Similarly to the hosts, Palmeiras began their Club World Cup campaign with a goalless draw, as they played out a stalemate with Porto.
Just like The Herons, Abel Ferreira’s men were victorious in their second group match, as a second-half own goal by Al Ahly forward Wessem Abou Ali and a tidy finish from substitute Flaco Lopez gave Palmeiras a deserved three points against the Egyptians.
How the bookies view it: Palmeiras favourites
Despite effectively playing at home, Inter Miami are the underdogs here, with BoyleSports pricing them at 15/4.
A Palmeiras success is 11/10 with the same firm, whilst the draw is 13/10.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
Unsurprisingly, this is these two sides first-ever meeting.
Players to watch: More Messi Magic?
Lionel Messi produced another magical moment in his side's victory against Porto last time out, highlighting that he can still produce those moments of magic. He is 5/2 to score anytime at BoyleSports, and you simply have to back him at those odds.
Chelsea-bound William Estevao has already been awarded two ‘Man of the Match’ awards in both group matches for Palmeiras, and the talented 18-year-old is also 5/2 at BoyleSports to net anytime.
Probable line-ups:
Inter Miami will once again be expected to start with the Ex-Barcelona trio of Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, whilst Jordi Alba will likely be an option from the bench.
Flaco Lopez came off the bench at half time and scored the second goal to seal his sides victory over Al Ahly and will be pushing for a start here.
Inter Miami: Ustari, Weigandt, Fray, Falcon, Allen, Allende, Busquets, Cremaschi, Segovia, Messi, Suarez
Palmeiras: Weverton, Giay, Gomez, Murillo, Piquerez, Moreno, Rios, Veiga, Torres, Estavao, Lopez
Anything else catch the eye?
Both of these sides are tied at the top of Group A with four points, and know a draw here would be enough to seal both of their places in the last-16, so it will be interesting to see how both approach this.
These two sides have already been involved in a goalless draw each already in Group A, and whilst there’s a chance we’ll see another one here, I’m happy just to back the draw, which is 13/10 at BoyleSports.
GambleAware