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When Inter Miami hosts FC Cincinnati at the DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday, they will try to maintain their chances of making the MLS playoffs.
The guests have already won the Supporters' Shield while the hosts are stuck in 14th place in the Eastern Conference.
Lionel Messi's injury, which has kept him out since Inter Miami's 4-0 win over Toronto on September 21, has diminished their chances of making the playoffs.
Inter Miami's four-game losing streak in all competitions without Messi started with a 1-1 draw against Orlando City and ended with a 2-1 loss to Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final.
Following a 1-1 draw with New York City on their return to action, Gerardo Martino's team lost 4-1 to Chicago Fire on Wednesday, dropping them five points behind the top nine with three games remaining.
Inter Miami have a mountain to climb if they want to make the post-season for the second year in a row, even if they have at least one game in hand on most of the clubs above them.
The Herons will seek to maintain their strong home record against Cincinnati, having won two and drawn one of their last three home encounters, before they finish the regular season with back-to-back games against Charlotte FC.
The Supporters' Shield was won by FC Cincinnati for the first time in their history when they won 19 of their 32 games during this season.
However, the Orange and Blue will only believe that half the battle is won as they continue to strive for their first MLS Cup. However, before they can concentrate on the playoffs, they must deal with their final two regular-season games against Inter Miami and Atlanta United.
They will be coming off of their fifth MLS loss of the year after falling to the New York Red Bulls 2-1 at TQL Stadium. Cincinnati allowed two goals in the first 17 minutes before Luciano Acosta pulled one back from the penalty spot.
Cincinnati will travel, where they are currently on a four-game winning streak after defeating Atlanta United and Toronto either side of away draws against Philadelphia Union and Montreal. This is after losing an MLS home game for just the second time in 2023.
The visitors, who may have already won the Eastern Conference, will be seeking retribution for their US Open Cup semifinal loss to Inter Miami on penalties in August.
Ian Fray, Franco Negri, Corentin Jean, Gregore, and Diego Gomez won't be available to the hosts.
Messi is unlikely to recover in time for Saturday's showdown after suffering an injury that kept him out of Inter Miami's previous four games.
Jordi Alba on the left side of defense and Leonardo Campana up front are both doubtful due to hamstring problems.
Stiven Jimenez and Arquimides Ordonez, who are both ruled out due to leg ailments, are unavailable to the visitors.
Alvas Powell, a defender who was dismissed against the New York Red Bulls, will be suspended and unable to travel on Saturday.
With a great record thus far this year, FC Cincinnati presently leads the MLS Eastern Conference rankings. Last week, the away team suffered a humiliating 2-1 loss at the hands of the New York Red Bulls and will need to recover in this game.
Inter Miami, on the other hand, is currently in 14th position in the league table and has not been playing at their best lately. The Herons will need to put in a lot of effort if they want to win this weekend after losing to the Chicago Fire by a score of 4-1 in their previous match.
Inter Miami's chances of making it to the playoffs are hanging in the balance as they prepare for a crucial match against Supporters' Shield winners FC Cincinnati this Saturday. However, the potential return of Lionel Messi could significantly alter the MLS odds.
Messi has been absent from the team for the last four games due to a leg injury, during which Inter Miami has struggled, managing only two draws and suffering two losses, including a disappointing 4-1 defeat against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday.
Amid all the hype surrounding Messi's possible return, FC Cincinnati is quietly making their way towards the postseason with high expectations. Despite their recent loss to the New York Red Bulls, they are planning to field a stronger lineup for this match as they prepare for one of their final playoff preparations.
With an amazing record versus FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami has taken four of the eight games the two teams have played to victory, compared to FC Cincinnati's two victories.Inter Miami has never lost at home against FC Cincinnati despite losing their last four matches against them after winning their first four in a row in all competitions.This week, Inter Miami suffered their third loss in their last 13 MLS regular-season games. In his 85 games as the manager of an MLS team, Gerardo Martino has not experienced back-to-back losses.This season, FC Cincinnati has only lost three games away from home.
The Inter Miami team is hopeful that Lionel Messi will play on Saturday, either as a starter or off the bench, since the hosts are in need of a spark going into their final three regular-season games. In spite of the fact that FC Cincinnati has already clinched the No. 1 spot, I'm leaning toward their predictions.
The Orange and Blue scored three goals on the road in Toronto last weekend, and I predict that they will score at least two goals in this matchup at DRV PNK Stadium.
There is a sense of hope within the Inter Miami camp that Lionel Messi may play this Saturday, either as a starting player or as a substitute. The team is eager for a boost as they approach their final three regular season matches. However, I am leaning towards favoring FC Cincinnati in this match. Despite already securing the top seed, the visitors are determined to maintain their form.
In their recent away game in Toronto, FC Cincinnati managed to score three goals. I predict they will score at least two goals at DRV PNK Stadium in what promises to be a high-scoring contest.
Luciano Acosta, a key player for FC Cincinnati, was among those who started on the bench in their Wednesday night game. This should mean that he will have fresh legs for this match. The attacking trio of Acosta, Aaron-Salem Boupendza, and Brandon Vazquez has collectively scored 29 goals in the league this season.
Furthermore, FC Cincinnati is benefiting from facing an Inter Miami defense that struggled in their midweek game against the Fire, conceding all four goals in the second half. The hosts will be missing Tomas Aviles, who is suspended, and there is a possibility that left-back Jordi Alba may also be unavailable.
There is a sense of hope within the Inter Miami camp that Lionel Messi may play this Saturday, either as a starting player or as a substitute. The team is eager for a boost as they approach their final three regular season matches. However, I am leaning towards favoring FC Cincinnati in this match. Despite already securing the top seed, the visitors are determined to maintain their form.
In their recent away game in Toronto, FC Cincinnati managed to score three goals. I predict they will score at least two goals at DRV PNK Stadium in what promises to be a high-scoring contest.
Luciano Acosta, a key player for FC Cincinnati, was among those who started on the bench in their Wednesday night game. This should mean that he will have fresh legs for this match. The attacking trio of Acosta, Aaron-Salem Boupendza, and Brandon Vazquez has collectively scored 29 goals in the league this season.
Furthermore, FC Cincinnati is benefiting from facing an Inter Miami defense that struggled in their midweek game against the Fire, conceding all four goals in the second half. The hosts will be missing Tomas Aviles, who is suspended, and there is a possibility that left-back Jordi Alba may also be unavailable.
