Inter Miami vs. New York City FC: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Inter Miami and New York City FC get their MLS campaigns underway at Chase Stadium on Saturday evening.

Both clubs have brought in new coaches in the offseason after their respective early playoff exits last year.

Former Argentina Olympic Games coach Javier Mascherano has been hired by the Herons, who were eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs by Atlanta United after winning the Eastern Conference with an MLS points record in the regular season.

The Boys in Blue lured Pascal Jansen to the Big Apple from Ferencvaros and he will be keen to avoid the slow start NYCFC made under his predecessor Nick Cushing last season.

Inter Miami made their competitive bow against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday when Lionel Messi’s goal brought them a 1-0 first-leg lead in the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Meanwhile, NYCFC are coming off a 1-0 friendly win over Minnesota United that wrapped up an intense training camp for them in California.

Inter Miami vs. New York City FC betting picks and predictions

Inter Miami to win and Over 3.5 Goals (+275)

Although Jansen was all smiles after his side’s win over the Loons earlier this week, NYCFC’s training camp took place against the backdrop of some major off-field upheaval.

Multiple credible reports have stated the club are set to part ways with Designated Player Santiago Rodriguez, who is on the cusp of a reported $17 million transfer to Botafogo of Brazil.

The attacking midfielder or winger, who had 16 goals and six assists in 40 appearances in all competitions in 2024, did not feature against Minnesota United.

And neither did center back and captain Thiago Martins, who has been dogged by a calf injury throughout the preseason.

First-choice left-back Kevin O’Toole missed the team’s three preparation matches in California while right-back Tayvon Gray limped off in the first half of the win over Minnesota.

Jansen looks set to deploy a makeshift defense against the team that scored an MLS-leading 79 goals last year.

That spells big trouble for the visitors, who won only one of their final 12 road games in 2024.

Inter Miami won 11 of their 17 regular season home games last term and, although only six of those victories were achieved with over 3.5 goals in the game, they have the firepower to exploit NYFC’s defensive issues on Saturday.

Inter Miami -1 (+200)

The Herons will be desperate to get their MLS campaign off to a winning start after what happened against Atlanta last November when they crashed out in a three-game series against the Five Stripes.

The league pushed the kick-off time of this clash back a few hours to give Messi and his teammates some extra recovery time after their trip to Kansas City.

And Mascherano’s men should welcome the return to Florida for this clash against a team they did not beat last season.

NYCFC held the Eastern Conference champions to a couple of 1-1 draws, although it took a stoppage-time leveller in September’s Bronx tussle for the hosts to earn a point.

Inter Miami honed their competitive edge in the Concacaf Champions Cup in midweek and that will be an advantage against a visiting side still finding their feet under a new coach.

Jansen has changed the structure of NYCFC from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 and that will take time to bed into place.

Meanwhile, the transition from Gerardo Martino to Mascherano has been pretty seamless in Miami and that should enable them to cover a -1 handicap in Saturday’s clash.

Eight of the Herons’ 11 home wins in the 2024 regular season were secured by a margin of more than one goal.

Half Time/Full Time: Inter Miami-Inter Miami  (+175)

It is probably worth backing the home side to get off to a flying start, too. The Herons dominated possession in the first half of their win over Sporting KC on Wednesday and took seven shots before the half-time whistle. 

Luis Suarez had two early scoring opportunities, failing to hit the target with either although both were only inches away from nestling in the corner of the net.

It was hard for Inter Miami’s players to get into their usual rhythm because of the freezing temperature, but the conditions for this match at their home stadium in South Florida will be much more to their liking.

Jordi Alba was suspended in midweek, but his return on the left-hand side will also bolster their attacking play.

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Inter Miami vs. New York City FC odds

Inter Miami	-134
Tie	+300
NYCFC	+300

Inter Miami vs. New York City FC player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)	+100
Luis Suarez (Inter Miami)	+110
Alonso Martinez (New York City FC)	+175
Fabrice Picault (Inter Miami)	+210
Leo Afonso (Inter Miami)	+210
Robert Taylor (Inter Miami)	+260
Tadeo Allende (Inter Miami)	+260

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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.