FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami MLS Preview and Prediction

One of last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals will be renewed this Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET, as FC Cincinnati hosts Inter Miami.

Cincinnati currently sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, as they’ve gone 4-4-4 in 12 MLS matches this season. Meanwhile, Inter Miami is six points ahead of them in second, recording a 6-4-2 mark through 12 matches; they’re one of just five teams in the MLS with two losses or fewer this season. 

Although the season is still early, I expect this match to be filled with entertainment given these two squads’ history.

FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami MLS Odds and Betting Trends

The hosts are +195 underdogs on the three-way moneyline, while Inter Miami are +105 favourites, and the draw sits at +295 on the MLS odds. As I said, this should be an entertaining affair, and the game total (Over/Under) sits at 3.5, with both sides carrying -110 odds. The last time these two squads met, Inter Miami won 4-0, and over the last 10 meetings, the average has been 3.6 goals. In that span, they’ve had three games with 6+ goals.

When it comes to the goal-scoring department, it’s no surprise to see Lionel Messi (-130 to score) as the odds-on favourite to find the back of the net, but there are four other players that are +195 or shorter to score. Obviously, Messi is the name everyone thinks of for Inter Miami, but Luis Suarez (+185 to score) has scored or assisted in three of his last four appearances. Kevin Denkey (+165 to score) has been the main man for the hosts, and he scored in their 2-2 draw against Charlotte FC this past Saturday.

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati has had an average start to the season, shown by its .500 record through 12 games. Although they’re sitting right in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings, they’ve gone six consecutive games unbeaten. However, that stretch includes four draws, and their biggest issue has been their back line. The hosts have allowed 27 goals in 12 contests, which is good for the fourth-most in the entire league. 

Frankly, FC Cincinnati should feel lucky that they’re still in the playoff picture, as the other three teams allowing more goals are the NY Red Bulls (ninth in the East), Orlando City (14th in the East), and Sporting KC (last in the West). Now, they’ll have to face an Inter Miami squad that has 26 goals in 12 contests (first in the East and third in the MLS), and I can’t picture their defence suddenly shutting down an elite attack.

Inter Miami

Lionel Messi is the MLS’s main man, and he continues to produce for the Herons. The 38-year-old superstar has nine goals and three assists in 11 games this season, recording two goals and three assists in Miami’s last two contests. He’s still one of the most dangerous players in the league, and he showed it when they faced Cincinnati in last year’s playoffs, scoring a goal and assisting three more.  

As good as Messi has been for the defending MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami’s defence has also struggled this season. They’ve allowed 21 goals this season, which may not seem like a ton, but it is for contenders. The other five MLS squads currently in the top three of the Eastern and Western Conferences have given up eight, 13, eight, seven, and 12 goals. If the Herons don’t fix their back line, they won’t have much luck securing back-to-back MLS Cups. 

MLS Prediction: Who Will Win FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami?

Although Cincinnati’s attack has allowed them to stay in games, I don’t see them picking up a win. While I do expect fireworks, Inter Miami’s road form will be the difference. The visitors are unbeaten in their last nine road contests, going 7-2-0 in that span. Their two draws ended 0-0, which I can’t see happening in this one. Therefore, give me Messi and company to get the job done.

Best Bet: Inter Miami ML (+105)

Score Prediction: FC Cincinnati 1 | Inter Miami 3