Inter Miami are two points behind MLS Eastern Conference leaders Nashville after gaining six wins on the bounce and they will be confident they can continue that run when they host Columbus Crew on Saturday night.
The Herons have been coping well without star Lionel Messi following his World Cup exploits with Argentina and their quest to finish at the top of the Eastern Conference is ticking along nicely.
They have scored 21 goals in their last six MLS matches and face a Columbus Crew team which has won just one of its eight away games this season.
Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew betting picks and predictions
Inter Miami to win & both teams to score (+150)
It is hard to ignore the fact that Inter Miami have won their last six league matches and Columbus Crew have had difficulties in gaining positive results on the road.
But those statistics are reflected in the odds on offer for this game, so it looks worthwhile to support the team from Florida to win a match-up in which both teams find the net.
Columbus has taken just one point from its last four away matches and it does not inspire confidence that the Crew have had just two clean sheets in their last 14 outings.
However, it should be remembered that there has been just one match in which the visitors have not scored in their 13 most recent assignments and that points to goals on Saturday.
Inter have scored 14 goals in the last four home matches, but there is potential for the defense to be tested and it is worth taking the chance that while Miami is undoubtedly stronger, the Crew can still score at least one goal.
Over 3.5 goals (-125)
One goal was enough for Inter Miami to win their last game against Montreal but that match-up went against the grain.
Their matches have been full of goals and with nine of their preceding 12 assignments all featuring at least four successful strikes, that pattern could continue.
Miami has scored a total of 21 goals in its last six games, but let’s not forget that Columbus has scored at least twice in six of its last nine MLS matches, so over 3.5 goals looks a good bet.
Luis Suarez to score two or more goals (+500)
It is a real testament to Inter Miami’s staying power that thy have maintained their great form despite the absence of Lionel Messi and one of the stars who has stepped up to fill the void has been Luis Suarez.
Anyone who thought the Uruguayan would be taking things easy after reaching the age of 39 has been mistaken as the former Ajax, Liverpool and Barcelona forward has shown he is just as hungry as ever to get on the scoresheet.
Suarez has really come into his own in recent weeks as he scored a hattrick in the 6-4 thriller against Philadelphia Union and followed that with two more goals in a 3-2 success when Inter came up against Chicago Fire.
The forward has also shown he can settle a tight encounter as he came up with the only goal of the game when a 1-0 victory was secured against Montreal in the last outing.
He is plainly rising to the challenge that has been presented by Messi being absent following his brilliant World Cup when he almost helped secure a successive triumph for Argentina only to be pipped by Spain in last month’s final.
Odds of -105 are offered that Suarez will score for the fourth successive encounter, but it is worth taking the risk in the multi-scorer section by backing him at +500 to score two or more goals in Saturday’s match.
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Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew odds
Inter Miami | -175 |
Tie | +350 |
Columbus Crew | +425 |
Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew player props
Anytime goalscorer
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) | -250 |
Luis Suarez (Inter Miami) | -105 |
German Berterame (Inter Miami) | -105 |
Daniel Pinter (Inter Miami) | +130 |
Mateo Silvetti (Inter Miami) | +187 |
Jamal Thiare (Columbus Crew) | +187 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
