Eastern Conference champions Inter Miami host Western Conference winners, the Vancouver Whitecaps, at Chase Stadium on Saturday night, in the final of the MLS Cup, which promises to be an entertaining affair.
After finishing third in the Eastern Conference table, Inter Miami faced SC Nashville in Round 1 and defeated them 2-1 in a best-of-three series, winning both home games 3-1 and 4-0.
Javier Mascherano’s men then went on to thrash FC Cincinnati 0-4 in their own backyard in the semi-finals, before handing out another hammering in the Eastern Conference final, defeating New York City FC 5-1 at Chase Stadium.
The Vancouver Whitecaps finished the regular Western Conference season in second position, and defeated FC Dallas 2-0 in Round 1 of the best-of-three series.
The Caps then required penalties to defeat LAFC in the semi-finals following a 2-2 draw in regulation time, before defeating Supporters’ Shield winners San Diego FC in the Western Conference final.
The MLS Cup will have a new winner in 2025, with both teams competing in their first-ever MLS Cup final.
How the bookies view it: Miami favourites
Inter Miami are favourites to clinch their first MLS Cup at their home stadium, with bet365 pricing them at just 2/5 to lift the trophy.
Bet365 have The Caps at 7/4 to lift their first MLS Cup crown, which does look a little overpriced.
Head to head: Caps with the psychological edge
These teams didn’t meet in the regular season, but they faced off in the CONCACAF Champions Cup at the end of April – start of May, with The Caps winning 5-1 on aggregate, including a 1-3 success at this venue.
Players to watch: More Messi magic?
Lionel Messi has been in scintillating form for Inter Miami in the MLS this season, scoring 35 goals – with six of those coming in the MLS Cup – but the little magician is just 8/15 at bet365 to find the target.
The Argentinian has also provided an astonishing 21 assists, with five of those coming in his last three matches, and is a more appealing 11/8 at bet365 to Assist.
Tadeo Allende has been another man that’s been in sensational form for Inter Miami in recent weeks, as he has scored 12 goals in his last 12 matches.
The Argentinian has scored seven of those goals in his previous three appearances – including a hat trick against New York City FC last time out – and is an appealing 11/5 at bet365 to net again.
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Predicted line-ups:
Inter Miami will be without the injured duo of Ryan Sailor and David Ruiz, whilst ex-Barcelona and Spain legends Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets will retire after the final whistle.
The Caps will be without the injured Ranko Veselinovic, Belal Halbouni, Sebastien Schonlau, Sam Adekugbe and Daniel Rios, but Tristan Blackmon returns from suspension.
Inter Miami: Novo, Wiegandt, Falcon, Allen, Alba, Busquets, De Paul, Rodriguez, Allende, Silvetti, Messi
Vancouver Whitecaps: Takaoka, Ocampo, Blackmon, Priso, Johnson, Cubas, Berhalter, Sabbi, Ahmed, Muller, White
Anything else catch the eye?
Messi and co are favourites to claim the MLS Cup crown, but given the amount of attacking players on both sides, I’m happy to swerve the match result and focus solely on goals.
Inter Miami’s five MLS Cup fixtures have averaged an eye-catching 4.20 goals per game, with Over 3.5 Goals paying out in four (80%) of them.
What’s more, the Herons’ last nine MLS contests at this venue have averaged a staggering 4.89 goals per game, with Over 3.5 Goals landing in all nine (100%).
Vancouver’s last two MLS Cup encounters have also seen four goals – as well as winning 1-3 at this venue in the CONCACAF Champions Cup back in May – and a repeat pays an appealing 21/20 at BOYLE Sports.
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