Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew MLS preview and prediction
Inter Miami, winners of six straight overall, including two last week in the restart after the World Cup, host the Columbus Crew at Nu Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Luis Suarez, who recorded his first MLS hat trick in a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union just before the extended break, scored the lone goal on an 81st-minute penalty in a 1-0 triumph over CF Montreal last Saturday. He also had a brace, including another penalty, in a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Fire three days earlier.
The Crew sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, 20 points behind Nashville SC, and 18 behind Inter Miami. Jamal Thiare and Daniel Gazdag scored in a 2-1 victory over FC Cincinnati in the latest iteration of the Hell is Real derby between the Ohio rivals.
Gazdag also scored three days earlier in a 2-1 setback to New York City FC.
Inter Miami have won four straight against the Crew.
Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew Odds and Betting Trends
The hosts are -154 favourites on the MLS odds, while Columbus is available at +320. The draw is +333.
The Herons are averaging three goals per game themselves over their past 10 contests. The total for Saturday’s match sits at 2.5 goals, with the Over sitting at -275.
Inter Miami
The big question for Inter Miami is when Lionel Messi will return to the lineup. He and fellow Argentinian Rodrigo de Paul were expectedly absent from the Herons’ recent wins as part of the resting process following La Albiceleste’s return trip to the World Cup final.
With Suarez’s production, as well as the introduction of Brazilian Casemiro to the lineup, coach Guillermo Hoyos is not hurting for options in Messi’s stead. That includes Preston Plasbeck, who tallied his first MLS goal in the win over Chicago.
German Berterame, who sits third behind Messi (12 goals, eight assists) and Suarez (nine goals, four assists) with seven goals, was knocked unconscious against CF Montreal, leading to Suarez’s winner. He is expected to be available Saturday evening, however.
Columbus Crew
The loss of Palestinian forward Wessam Abou Ali, who had five goals and one assist in seven starts for the Crew, to a serious knee injury has helped derail the Crew’s season. Diego Rossi leads the club with six goals in 15 appearances.
Gazdag is next for Columbus with three goals, two of which have come in the last week via penalties.
Columbus does a good job organizing defensively and grinding out positive results at times. Still, the Crew struggle to score, and they are putrid 1-5-2 on the road, not the best stat to bring into Inter Miami’s sparkling Nu Stadium, where the Herons are 3-1-3.
MLS Prediction: Who Will Win Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew?
This should be an easy one for Inter Miami, no matter if Messi and de Paul suit up or not. The Herons will control possession and should create better and more consistent chances.
Columbus will do everything it can to stay compact in the back. Patrick Schulte, who had four saves in the win over Cincinnati, is a positive presence. But the Crew have yet to post a clean sheet on the road this season, and have allowed one goal just twice away from home. They will not be able to contain Inter Miami for the duration.
Take the Herons to post a 3-1 victory.