Prediction: Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to make another MLS statement in the early hours of Wednesday, a high-flying Columbus will travel to Florida when they meet Inter Miami.
Inter Miami
Starting with the hosts, while Inter Miami might have appointed the experienced Gerardo Martino as their new Head Coach over the weekend, the former Mexico boss knows that he faces a huge challenge in Florida. With the Herons coming under a huge amount of scrutiny this season, they find themselves sat rock-bottom of the Eastern Conference table and in the midst of what has quickly become a major MLS nightmare. Needing a minor miracle in their bid to claim a play-off ticket in 2023, Miami have mustered just one win from any of their previous seven domestic showdowns – a run that stems all the way back to May 23rd. Likewise, marking their return from June’s international break with a woeful 4-1 drumming at the hands of Philadelphia last week, Martino will already have a headache over his new squad’s extended defensive issues. In fact, the Herons have remarkably picked up just a single MLS clean sheet since the start of March.
Team News
Dealing with a mounting list of absentees, Inter Miami will once again be without the injured trio of Franco Negri, Jean Mota and Corentin Jean in midweek. Likewise, Ryan Sailor is not expected to make his return from a hamstring issue here.
Still away on Gold Cup duties, the Herons will also be unable to call either Kamal Miller or one-time Tottenham defender DeAndre Yedlin.
Columbus Crew
As for the visitors, while Inter Miami might be enduring a major MLS nightmare, Columbus should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Putting in another eye-catching performance over the weekend as they clinched a 2-1 victory at home against the New York Red Bulls, Wilfried Nancy’s men have only continued to shine on either side of the international break. On a run that is highlighted by an action-packed 4-2 win against Charlotte on June 3rd, the Ohio-based outfit have collected 16 points from just their last six MLS appearances. With that remarkable purple patch stemming all the way back to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Nashville on May 28th, Columbus have certainly impressed with their free-scoring displays. Notching 14 strikes on that six-match unbeaten romp, neutrals could be treated to another MLS thriller in the early hours of Wednesday. With the Crew seeing seven of their last eight top-flight contests finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome.
Team News
Aside from 22-year-old defender Will Sands who is still dealing with a knee injury, Columbus have reported a clean bill of health ahead of their trip to Florida in midweek.
Already producing 15 goals contributions in his 17 MLS appearances this season, Lucas Zelarayan will once again have a key role to play in the early hours of Wednesday. Likewise, notching four goals in his previous six outings, Cucho will spearhead Nancy’s charge here.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides met for their last MLS showdown on April 29th, Inter Miami picked up a 2-1 victory in Ohio.
- However, the midweek hosts have recorded just a single win from any of their last seven straight domestic matchups.
- The Crew have remarkably picked up 16 points from just their last six MLS appearances – a run that stems back to May 28th.
- Three of the last four meetings between Wednesday’s opponents have finished with both teams finding the net.
- Likewise, Columbus have seen five of their last six domestic appearances outside of Ohio finish in an identical outcome.
Conclusion
Making a statement over the weekend as they claimed a stellar 2-1 win at home against the New York Red Bulls, Columbus will be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here. In the midst of what has quickly become a remarkable purple patch and mustering 16 points from their last six MLS outings, the Crew have also enjoyed quite the free-scoring run. However, suffering a shock 2-1 defeat when they welcomed Inter Miami to Ohia back on April 29th, neutrals could be treated to a lively affair here. It should be noted, with three of the last four meetings between Wednesday’s opponents finishing with both teams finding the net, we are backing a similar outcome in Florida.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Luckster
