Inter Miami CF vs. Nashville SC: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Inter Miami CF return dwelling for the primary time since Could this weekend, welcoming Nashville SC to Chase Stadium in one of the crucial anticipated MLS matches of the weekend. 

After coming back from the FIFA Membership World Cup, having made a run to the Spherical of 16 earlier than falling to eventual finalists Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami have been in stellar type, with wins in opposition to CF Montréal and the New England Revolution. 

But, Lionel Messi and the Herons will meet one of the crucial in-form groups in MLS in Nashville SC this weekend, taking up a dominant duo of Hany Mukhtar and MLS Golden Boot chief Sam Surridge. 

Miami enter the match ranked fifth within the Jap Convention on 5 factors, whereas Nashville sit second on 41 factors, just one level behind leaders FC Cincinnati. 

Right here’s all the things you could know for Saturday’s matchup. 

Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC Head-to-Head Document (All-Time)

Earlier Assembly: Inter Miami 2–2 Nashville SC – June 29, 2024 (MLS)

If there have been worries about Inter Miami popping out of the FIFA Membership World Cup, these can all be put to relaxation. Since coming back from the match, head coach Javier Mascherano’s facet has regarded sharper, and have picked up dominant wins in opposition to Jap Convention bottom-feeders, CF Montréal and the New England Revolution. 

Nevertheless, the largest takeaway from their final two matches has been the type of Lionel Messi, who has been enjoying a few of his finest soccer since becoming a member of Inter Miami in the summertime of 2023. Towards New England, he turned the primary participant in MLS historical past to attain a number of targets in 4 straight video games, surpassing the earlier report of three matches set by himself and former New York Pink Bull Thierry Henry. 

By means of 15 matches this season, Messi has 14 targets and 7 assists, and has been wanting something however 38 years previous. But, the third sport in per week may pose some fatigue points, particularly after Mascherano admitted to desirous to substitute the captain in opposition to New England, earlier than protecting him on for the complete 90 minutes. 

Exterior of Messi, Miami has gotten robust play from Telasco Segovia and Tadeo Allende in latest weeks, whereas 22-year-old left midfielder Baltasar Rodriguez has began to return into his personal down Jordi Alba’s wing. 

Off the pitch, Miami have additionally been linked with a transfer for Messi’s Argentina teammate, Rodrigo De Paul, which might pressure a corresponding departing roster transfer. Nevertheless, this weekend’s problem will probably be targeted on shutting down Mukhtar and Surridge, two of the perfect attackers in MLS. 

Inter Miami Predicted Lineup vs. Nashville SC (4-4-2): Ustari; Weigandt, Falcon, Martinez, Alba; Allende, Redondo, Busquets, Rodriguez; Messi, Suárez

No group in MLS is enjoying fairly like Nashville SC proper now. Led by former U.S. males’s nationwide group interim head coach B.J. Callaghan, the Coyotes are on a 15-game unbeaten run and have received their final 5 matches in all competitions. 

Whereas their final two MLS wins have include 1–0 victories in opposition to the Philadelphia Union and D.C. United, they’ve been a way more dominant group than the rating strains present. Hany Mukhtar’s 9 targets and eight assists, mixed with Sam Surridge’s 16 targets lead the group, whereas Andy Najar has additionally established himself as an attacking pressure from the fullback place. 

It’s not simply their assault although. Nashville has conceded the second fewest quantity of targets amongst groups which have performed no less than 21 video games in MLS, permitting simply 23. In the meantime, they will even get added defensive expertise, with the return of Walker Zimmeran to MLS motion, after he donned the Blue and Gold for the primary time since Gold Cup obligation with the USMNT in Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup win over D.C. United. 

It’s not all excellent for Nashville, although, as they may miss Mexican midfielder Jonathan Perez attributable to a crimson card picked up in opposition to Philadelphia. 

A win may propel Nashville to the highest of the Supporters’ Defend standings and provides them much more confidence in opposition to an in-form and gifted Inter Miami.

Nashville SC Predicted Lineup vs. Inter Miami (4-4-2): Willis; Najar, Palacios, Maher, Lovitz; Qasem, Yazbek, Brugman, Muyl; Mukhtar, Surridge

It is two of the perfect groups in MLS, and two sides that like to assault. Nevertheless, on condition that Nashville are a extra balanced facet and a youthful one, the benefit seemingly falls to them in getting a outcome, particularly contemplating the variety of minutes Messi and his getting older teammates have performed over latest weeks.

Prediction: Inter Miami 2–3 Nashville SC

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