Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Inter Miami will hope to welcome Lionel Messi back from a two-game break when they entertain fellow unbeatens Charlotte FC in round three of MLS action on Sunday.

The Herons proved they can cope without their Argentinean superstar by beating Houston Dynamo 4-1 on the road last weekend before clinching a crucial 2-0 first-leg lead in their CONCACAF Champions Cup knockout clash with Cavalier FC on Thursday.

But head coach Javier Mascherano is probably going to need the 2024 MLS MVP to unlock a well-drilled Charlotte defense that conceded the second-fewest goals in the league last year.

The Crown have brought in a splashy offseason signing to bolster a pedestrian attack with former English Premier League star Wilfried Zaha shining with a goal on his debut last weekend.   

Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC betting picks and predictions

Tie or Charlotte FC (+137)

The Herons’ victory over Cavalier FC on Thursday was no classic by any stretch of the imagination as Mascherano’s side laboured for long periods against their Jamaican opponents.

The unfancied visitors, who had been easily dismissed by FC Cincinnati over two legs last year, hit the woodwork and had a goal disallowed for a tight offside before half-time, with the hosts mustering very few memorable moments of their own.

It was a tired display from a team playing their fifth game in 15 days and the fatigue factor is precisely the reason why Messi has been allowed time off so early in the campaign.

Mascherano was tight-lipped over whether the 37-year-old would return for Sunday’s clash at Chase Stadium, saying only that his star was not injured.

But it seems more likely that he would feature in the upcoming game at home than the following trip to Jamaica with a two-goal lead already established.

Meanwhile, Charlotte FC will arrive in South Florida fully rested after an eight-day break and basking in the afterglow of their 2-0 home win over Atlanta United.

Dean Smith’s side unlocked the win in the second half with two counter-attacking goals and could prove even more dangerous this week with Zaha further integrated into their system.

The Ivory Coast international did not have a full week of training in the lead up to last week’s game as he had been home to spend time with his family for the birth of his daughter.

An unbroken week with his new teammates should bring out Zaha’s best form and raise the Crown’s ceiling. 

With their new star potentially playing with a solid defensive platform behind him, Charlotte FC should be able to leave South Florida with at least one point.

Over 2.5 goals & Both Teams to Score - Yes (-125)

Inter Miami’s last six MLS matches have seen both teams score with over 2.5 goals, so it seems highly possible that this clash will deliver goals and drama too.

The Herons hit top gear in Houston last week to go four goals up, but their concentration slipped enough for the Dynamo to grab a consolation effort.

They have kept only one clean sheet in their last 13 MLS games, but have scored in their last 25 consecutively - a run that dates back to May 2024. 

Charlotte FC have shut out only one of their last 11 MLS opponents on the road, so there looks to be enough scope for goals at both ends this Sunday. 

Tadeo Allende to score at anytime (+200)

Tadeo Allende’s hot scoring streak make the winger an enticing bet to get a goal at any time in this clash.

He has registered in the Herons’ last three games in all competitions and produced a goal of the week candidate in last Sunday’s 4-1 win in Texas. 

The on-loan Celta Vigo player is with Inter Miami on a one-year ‘prove-it’ loan deal and the more goals he scores, the more likely it is that Chase Stadium becomes his permanent home.

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Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC odds

Inter Miami	-188 ML
Tie	+400 ML
Charlotte FC	+425 ML

Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)	-120
Luis Suarez (Inter Miami)	-105
Leo Afonso (Inter Miami)	+162
Fabrice Picault (Inter Miami)	+200
Tadeo Allende (Inter Miami)	+200
Robert Taylor (Inter Miami)	+210
Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC)	+250

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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.