Inter Miami vs Orlando City Match Preview
Inter Miami will be looking to continue their unbeaten start in the MLS this season when they take on Orlando City at the Chase Stadium this weekend. The two sides drew their last match in the league and will be keen on getting the three points this time around.
Inter Miami was losing 1-0 to LA Galaxy when they got some luck with the sending-off of Marco Delgado. Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba rolled back years and combined to score the equalizer in injury time.
Tata Martino, the Inter Miami coach, spoke about the game and how much Messi helped them to get that point and said:
“It’s true that they dominated the first half, especially with the period in which Riqui Puig had the most amount of time with the ball and made the team play very well. They recently got their last two DPs and because of that, the team looks completely different.”
“Because they have a great No. 9 and also two dangerous wingers, and also they’re very solid defensively. But then we had the personality to continue searching, and we reached the tie, well, you could say with the genius of Leo [Messi].”
Orlando City played their first match of the season against CF Montreal at home and drew 0-0. However, they have been involved in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and won 3-1 against Cavalry FC this week, after beating the Canadian side 3-0 in the first leg. They lost the last match in MLS last season but won four and drew one of their five MLS Preseason matches.
Team News
Inter Miami are sweating on the fitness of Lionel Messi but the Argentine is expected to play against Orlando City. Tata Martino spoke about the former Barcelona star and said that they will be making the most of his availability in every game. He said:
“We will have to evaluate the players all this week, but I think the real serious evaluation will be the following week. We have to see how they are recovering from these games, but I think our team looked fit, as they fought until the final moment.”
Franco Negri, Ian Fray, Benjamin Cresmaschi and Facundo Farias are ruled out for Inter Miami. The first two stars are still recovering from their ACL tears while, Farias is out for the season after suffering an ACL injury. Meanwhile, Cremaschi has a hernia injury and will be out for another 2-3 months.
Rodrigo Schlegel should be back in the starting XI, and he will be fresh despite missing the first game of the MLS season through suspension. He played in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and was brilliant in the backline.
Luis Muriel is the only injury worry for the away side, but he too could be back this week. The 32-year-old has not featured for the MLS season and will be looking to make his debut for them.
Predicted Lineups
Tata Martino is unlikely to make a change in his starting XI this week as his side are unbeaten. They needed a bit of brilliance from ALba and Messi to get a point against LA Galaxy, but the same side eased to a win over Real Salt Lake.
Callender will remain in goal while Yedlin and Alba play as the fullbacks. Aviles and Kryvtsav have impressed in the heart of the defence and it would be harsh to drop either of them.
Sergio Busquets used his years of experience to get Marco Delgado sent-off in the draw against LA Galaxy. He has combined well with Gressel and Gomez in the middle of the park and can get the flow going in the team.
Luis Suarez has been far from impressive in his two MLS matches so far, but should retain his place in the team. Lionel Messi and Robert Taylor should be the ones joining him in the attack.
Predicted XI: Callender, Alba, Avilés, Kryvtsov, Yedlin, Gómez, Busquets, Gressel, Taylor, Suárez, Messi
Orlando City are also expected to go in unchanged from their first MLS game. However, the one change could be Rodrigo Schlegel coming in for David Brekalo.
Predicted XI: Gallese, Santos, Jansson, Brekalo, Thórhallsson, Cartagena, Araújo, Angulo, Lodeiro, Torres, McGuire
Also Read: MLS Golden Boot Standings as Christian Benteke scores hat-trick for D.C. United
Inter Miami vs Orlando City Head-to-Head & Prediction
Orlando City 1-0 Inter Miami
Inter Miami 3-1 Orlando City
Inter Miami 1-3 Orlando City
Inter Miami 4-1 Orlando City
Orlando City 1-0 Inter Miami
Prediction:
Orlando City are unbeaten in 2024, but that could change this week when they face Inter Miami. Tata Martino’s side will be looking to make the most of their push and get their second win of the season.
Prediction: Inter Miami 2-1 Orlando City
Betting Tips
Inter Miami win.
Both Teams To Score: Yes.
Over 3.5 Goals: No.
Odds
Inter Miami Win: 1.74
Draw: 4.40
Orlando City Win: 5.00
Inter Miami vs Orlando City Timings & Telecast
Chase Stadium – 2nd March – 21:30 GMT
India: MLS Season Pass
United Kingdom: MLS Season Pass
US: Fox, Fox Desportes and FS1