Verdict: Inter Miami to score in both halves
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to find a route to the top of the Eastern Conference standings late on Sunday night, Inter Miami will welcome Portland to the Nu Stadium.
Inter Miami
Starting with the hosts, putting in an action-packed performance earlier in the week as they eventually clinched a rollercoaster 5-3 victory away at Cincinnati, Inter Miami will be looking to make another MLS statement when they return to the Nu Stadium late on Sunday night. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat just two points adrift of leapfrogging Nashville and finding a route to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, Guillermo Hoyos’ side appear to be enjoying life under their new boss. Including a 4-2 win against Toronto earlier in the month, the MLS giants are unbeaten in all of their previous 14 consecutive appearances across all competitions – a purple patch that stems all the way back to February 22nd. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third, Miami find themselves pencilled in as a standout contender on Sunday night.
Inter Miami Team News
Sustaining what looks set to be a long-term knee injury against Orlando earlier in the month, Inter Miami will be without Argentinian striker Tadeo Allende this weekend. Likewise, academy graduate Noah Allen is dealing with a recent muscle issue and remains a major doubt here.
Bagging yet another MLS brace away at Cincinnati earlier in the week and registering 15 direct goal contributions in his 12 appearances this season (11 goals, four assists), eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi will shoulder plenty of Miami’s goalscoring threat.
Portland Timbers
As for the visitors, while Portland might have put in a sensational performance earlier in the month as they stormed their way to an empathic 6-0 romp at home against Sporting KC, the Timbers have drastically failed to find any kind of recent stability. Eventually forced to settle for a 2-2 stalemate against Montreal last time out, Phil Neville’s side have claimed just a trio of wins from any of their previous 11 consecutive MLS appearances – a run that stems back to the end of February. Facing what is a monumental challenge when the former Inter Miami boss return to the Nu Stadium this weekend, Portland have also gained a reputation for their struggles on the road. In fact, Sunday’s guests have landed just a sole win from their last seven straight showdowns away from Providence Park.
Portland Timbers Team News
Yet to make a single MLS appearance this season, former Colorado striker Omir Fernandez remains on the sidelines with a foot injury and won’t play any part here. Lasting just nine minutes away at Montreal earlier in the week before limping off with a muscle injury, Jose Caicedo is not expected to feature on Sunday.
Once again finding the net in midweek and now notching five goals in his previous six appearances, Venezuelan starlet Kevin Kelsy will lead the line in Miami. Now in his third campaign at Providence Park, New Zealand international Finn Surman will start the heart of Portland’s defence.
Inter Miami vs Portland Timbers Key Factors to Consider
- When Inter Miami and Portland met for their most recent showdown way back in May 2022, the Herons collected a 2-1 victory on home soil.
- Miami have suffered just a sole defeat from any of their previous 14 straight appearances across all competitions.
- Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has registered 15 direct goal contributions in his 12 appearances this season (11 goals, four assists).
- Portland have claimed just a trio of wins from any of their previous 11 consecutive MLS appearances – a run that stems back to the end of February.
- The Timbers have shipped at least a pair of strikes in nine of their previous 10 appearances on the road.
Conclusion
Knowing that they can find a route to the top of the Western Conference standings this weekend, Inter Miami will feel that they have been handed a real opportunity. Suffering just a sole defeat from any of their previous 14 consecutive appearances across all competitions, the MLS giants are rightfully installed as a standout contender when they return to the Nu Stadium. Landing a 2-1 win when they last met Portland way back in May 2022, they are rightfully installed as a landslide contender here.
Verdict: Inter Miami to score in both halves
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
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