Inter Miami will travel to Gillette Stadium for an Eastern Conference MLS clash. The visitors are aiming to close the gap on the front runners while the home side is attempting to come out of a recent slump.
Sitting 11th in the table, New England Revolution have struggled in recent weeks and are winless in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions. They were beaten 2-1 at Portland Timbers in their previous MLS fixture.
Things have been even worse at home for New England Revolution, who are winless in their last five matches, suffering three defeats in that run. Poor defending remains the major problem for Caleb Porter’s men, having conceded at least three goals in three matches in that stretch.
Inter Miami’s MLS form has been solid lately having won their last three league matches. They claimed a 4-1 victory at CF Montreal last time out, with Lionel Messi netting a brace.
Javier Mascherano's men have also done some good work on their travels and are unbeaten in their last three away matches. However, they are often vulnerable at the back and are without a clean sheet in their last four away fixtures.
How the bookies view it: Upper hand for Inter Miami
Inter Miami have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 21/20 by BoyleSports to claim the win. New England Revolution are considered outsiders, with a home win valued at 7/4 while a draw is set at odds of 13/5.
Head to head: Inter Miami on top
Inter Miami have a 5-3 advantage from eight previous matches against New England Revolution. The visitors claimed a 6-2 home victory in the last meeting and also ran out 4-1 winners on their last visit to the Gillette Stadium.
Players to watch: Messi to deliver again
Messi netted twice last time out to take his tally to 12 MLS goals this season and will be the one to watch. He has a good understanding with Luis Suarez, who has found the net five times this season and both men can combine to produce over 1.5 goals – priced at 8/11 with BoyleSports.
Carles Gil is the man to watch for New England Revolution having found the net seven times this season. Tomas Chancalay should lead the line for the hosts and both men can combine to serve up over 0.5 goals at 1/5.
Probable line ups:
Argentine forward Chancalay should be handed a start in attack ahead of Leonardo Campana. Luca Langoni should keep his place in the team after netting New England’s only goal at Portland Timbers while Carles Gil is also expected to feature.
Inter Miami should stick to their trusted rearguard with Jordi Alba and Marcelo Weigandt. Telasco Segovia scored his fifth league goal against Montreal, and that should see him keep his place, while Messi and Suarez spearhead the attack.
New England Revolution: Ivacic, Beason, Fofana, Ceballos, Miller, Yusuf, Polster, Bye, Gil, Chancalay, Lagoni
Inter Miami: Ustari, Weigandt, Aviles, Falcon, Alba, Busquets, Cremaschi, Segovia, Allende, Messi, Suárez
Anything else catch the eye?
Four of the last five matches between both teams have produced over 3.5 goals – available at 13/10 with BoyleSports. The last three meetings have also produced over 1.5 goals in the first half (first half over 1.5 goals at 5/4).
The visitors have scored in both halves in the last two meetings (Inter Miami to score in both halves at 17/10).
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