Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United MLS Betting Odds, Picks: Lionel Messi looks to build off four-goal performance

Inter Miami hope to build off the biggest victory in club history and erase the memories of a 1-2-2 August when they host Atlanta United at Nu Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The Herons snapped a five-match winless streak across all competitions with a 7-1 rout of CF Montréal last Saturday. Lionel Messi scored four goals and added an assist, while Luis Suárez, Casemiro and Alexander Shaw also found the net.

Miami are 12-4-6 with 42 points, good for second in the Eastern Conference. The Herons lead MLS with 56 goals in 22 league matches but have allowed 41, fifth-worst in the league.

Atlanta sit near the bottom of the East at 6-13-3 with 21 points. The Five Stripes had won three straight before falling 2-0 to Charlotte FC last Saturday.

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United Odds and Betting Trends

The hosts are solid -300 favourites on the MLS odds, while Atlanta are available at +750. The draw sits at +475.

The total is 3.5 goals. Miami have scored 56 times in 22 MLS matches, while their defensive issues have helped produce plenty of high-scoring contests. The Herons combined with their opponents to total four or more goals in four of five August MLS matches. 

Conversely, Atlanta, who went 3-2 in August, combined with their opponents to score four or more goals just once during that stretch. 

Inter Miami

Messi, MLS’s reigning Golden Boot winner and MVP, recorded his first four-goal performance in the league against Montréal. With that effort, the Argentine is back atop this year’s Golden Boot standings with 18 goals in 19 games, including at least one goal in each of Miami’s last three contests.

He’s also tied with fellow Argentinian Rodrigo De Paul for the team-lead with 10 assists. Suárez has also remained productive with 11 goals, while Germán Berterame has added seven goals.

The Montréal rout was a welcome response following a difficult stretch. Miami had lost 4-1 at Nashville and 2-1 at home to Toronto while drawing Philadelphia and Columbus 2-2 each in their previous four league matches.

The Herons will be without Tadeo Allende following right-knee surgery, while defender Sergio Reguilón is recovering from a Grade II sprain in his right knee. 

Atlanta United

Atlanta had shown signs of turning around a disappointing season before last week’s loss.

The Five Stripes beat the New York Red Bulls, Minnesota United and Sporting Kansas City by identical 2-1 scores during a three-game winning streak before being shut out by Charlotte.

Tristan Muyumba scored against the Red Bulls and Minnesota during that surge, while Tomás Jacob found the net against both Minnesota and Sporting KC.

Miguel Almirón assisted both goals against Sporting KC, becoming Atlanta’s all-time leader in assists.

Atlanta could also receive a major boost from newly acquired Breel Embolo. The Swiss international has received his visa and league approval. He is eligible to make his club debut Saturday, although Atlanta have not confirmed that he will be in the matchday squad.

The Five Stripes have scored only 25 goals in 22 league matches, less than half Miami’s total.

MLS Prediction: Who Will Win Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United?

Atlanta’s recent three-game winning streak makes this a more intriguing matchup than the standings suggest, particularly if Embolo makes his debut.

Still, slowing down Miami is another matter.

Messi enters off a four-goal performance, and the Herons have too many attacking options for an Atlanta side that has allowed 38 goals this season.

Miami’s defensive vulnerability should create opportunities for Atlanta, particularly with Almirón leading the attack and Embolo potentially joining him. However, the Five Stripes have not consistently shown enough firepower to keep pace with MLS’ highest-scoring team.

Expect Atlanta to find the net, but Messi, Suárez and company should create too many chances.

Take the Herons to post a 3-1 victory.