New York Red Bulls and Inter Miami will face off at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in an MLS Eastern Conference clash. The Red Bulls come into this clash looking to maintain a solid home form, while the visitors will be keen to bounce back from a defeat last time out.
New York Red Bulls claimed a 5-3 home victory over New England Revolution in their previous MLS fixture, with Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting each netting a brace. That was a vital return to winning ways, having been without a victory in the previous five matches.
That result also maintains a solid home form for the New York Red Bulls, who are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches at the Sports Illustrated Stadium. Beyond the victory over New England, there have been other one-sided results like the 7-0 win over the LA Galaxy, and manager Sandro Schwarz will be keen to maintain that run.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami come into this clash off the back of a 3-0 defeat at Cincinnati last time out in the league. That result ended a run of three straight wins, and manager Javier Mascherano will look to make a swift return to winning ways.
Inter Miami have also shown some good form on their travels, earning two wins from their last three away matches. Driven by the impressive Lionel Messi, they have looked sharp going forward and can count a 4-1 victory at CF Montreal among their recent results on the road.
How the bookies view it: Little to separate them
There is little to separate both teams among the bookies, with a win for New York Red Bulls priced at 7/5 by BoyleSports, who are also offering 13/10 for an Inter Miami victory. A draw is set at odds of 5/2.
Head to head: Slight edge for Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls have a 6-5 advantage from 11 previous matches against Inter Miami. The visitors have won the last two meetings, including a 4-1 home victory in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Eyes on Messi
Lionel Messi is the standout player for Inter Miami this season, having scored 16 League goals. He will be the one to watch, and with Tadeo Allende also finding the net seven times, both men can combine to produce over 1.5 goals (available at 2/13 with BoyleSports).
Eric Choupo-Moting scored a brace for New York Red Bulls in their last match, taking his season tally to 13 goals. Emil Forsberg also has nine goals this season and both men can ensure the hosts produce over 0.5 goals – priced at 1/6.
Probable line ups:
Lewis Morgan, Serge Ngoma and Cameron Harper are all sidelined with injury and expected to miss this clash. Choupo-Moting should lead the line once again, while Sean Nealis is expected to feature at the back.
Inter Miami have injury problems of their own, with Ian Fray, Allen Obando and Noah Allen all sidelined. Messi should retain his place in the team while Luis Suarez is expected to lead the line once again.
New York Red Bulls: Coronel; Valencia, Eile, Nealis; Duncan; Edelman, Stroud; Carmona, Forsberg, Sofo; Choupo-Moting
Inter Miami: Novo; Weigandt, Aviles, Falcon, Alba; Busquets, Cremaschi, Segovia, Allende; Messi, Suárez
Anything else catch the eye?
The last three matches between both teams have produced over 3.5 goals – priced at 6/5 with BoyleSports. Inter Miami scored first in the reverse fixture (Inter Miami to score first offers at 20/21).
There have been more goals after the break in two of the last three meetings (second half most goals – 20/23).
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