After a handful of games over the weekend the MLS is back in business for everyone on Wednesday night with a full round of fixtures, including a key clash between Inter Miami and direct rivals Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference.
Robert Lewandowski’s Chicago Fire debut was delayed after their game against Vancouver Whitecaps was postponed last week. The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona striker should make his bow in Miami, but the hosts will be without a couple of their stars.
Lionel Messi and fellow Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul won’t be involved for Inter Miami after their World Cup exploits, as the South Americans reached the final but lost out to Spain.
Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire betting picks and predictions
Chicago Fire to win (+220)
Inter Miami won their final four games before the World Cup break while Chicago Fire comes into this clash on a three-match winning run.
If both teams were at full strength then Inter would be the justifiable favorites, but with Messi missing they could be vulnerable against a Fire outfit who have legitimate MLS Cup hopes of their own.
The arrival of Lewandowski could be huge for the visitors and his arrival provides a timely boost for Chicago, who sit in third place in the East - one place and five points behind their hosts.
Inter have also been better on their travels than they have at Nu Stadium. The Herons have picked up only nine of their 31 points in their six home games, although they have lost just one of those fixtures.
Chicago Fire have been fairly strong travellers, however, and have picked up 11 points from their last five on the road after losing their opening away assignment at Houston Dynamo.
With Inter missing their star man and Chicago boosted by a marquee signing, the visitors look backable as +220 underdogs against the defending MLS champions.
Robert Lewandowski to score any time (+110)
There is a bit of a question mark over whether or not Lewandowski will feature from the start against Inter Miami but Chicago have sent out a pretty clear statement this week by sanctioning Hugo Cuypers’ sale to CF Monterrey.
Cuypers is the leading scorer in MLS with 13 goals but the Fire have opted to cash in on the 29-year-old, meaning Lewandowski has been brought in as a replacement rather than a partner for the Belgian.
Lewandowski hit 14 goals in 31 La Liga games for Barcelona last season and shouldn’t have too many issues adjusting to MLS. The 37-year-old is vastly experienced and transitioned seamlessly from Germany to Spain earlier in his career, so he should be able to hit the ground running.
Lewandowski has enjoyed an incredible career with 14 league titles and one UEFA Champions League. Debut goals have been hard to come by for the Pole as he failed to score in his first appearances for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern and Barca, although he did strike on his Lech Poznan bow back in 2008, and he can buck that trend with a strike for the Fire in Florida.
Luis Suarez 2+ shots on target (+120)
Luis Suarez will be the key man in the Inter Miami attack in the absence of Messi and the Uruguayan veteran should be able to record at least two attempts on target.
Suarez has had at least two shots on target in three of his last five appearances and he’s been fairly accurate all season.
The 39-year-old is averaging just over two shots per-game and is shooting with an accuracy rate of over 50%, so two or more looks a reasonable amount for Suarez to reach against Chicago.
Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire odds
Inter Miami | -104 |
Tie | +310 |
Chicago Fire | +220 |
Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire odds player props
Anytime goalscorer
German Berterame (Inter Miami) | +110 |
Robert Lewandowski (Chicago Fire) | +110 |
Luis Suarez (Inter Miami) | +138 |
Phillip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire) | +188 |
Daniel Pinter (Inter Miami) | +160 |
Jason Shokalook (Chicago Fire) | +175 |
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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.
