LAFC vs. Inter Miami MLS Preview and Prediction
Major League Soccer is finally back, as the 2026 MLS season kicks off this weekend with 30 teams on a clean slate.
Two top-tier clubs, LAFC and Inter Miami, battle it out on day one of the new MLS season with the hope of getting a head start on this year’s playoffs. LAFC has had historic success, and the 2022 Cup winners and Heung-min Son now face the 2025 victors of Inter Miami and a fresh Heron squad led by Leo Messi.
LAFC vs. Inter Miami MLS Odds and Betting Trends
In five meetings since Miami’s inaugural season in 2020, LAFC have won three and Miami have won two, including the most recent CONCACAF Champions Cup bout 3-1 in April. This fixture has yet to see a draw and now features a star-studded lineup for both sides, with LA’s Heung-min Son and Miami’s Lionel Messi in the mix.
LAFC were one of the top Western Conference contenders last season with a third-place finish, and are +600 to win the Cup this year on the MLS odds, only behind Inter Miami at +430. LA is a +105 favourite against last year’s MLS Cup champions, who enter this one as +215 challengers. A draw, which has never happened in this fixture, comes priced at +260 odds, with under 3.5 total goals available at -185 odds.
Inter Miami
Last year’s Cup champions will have to deal with the loss of Sergio Busquets (retired), Jordi Alba (retired), Benjamin Cremaschi (on loan) and Tomas Aviles (on loan). They did add to their defence, signing ex-Tottenham left-back Sergio Reguilon and fellow defender Facundo Mura. However, the Heron’s main man, with 29 goals and 20 assists in the regular season, Lionel Messi still stands as tall as ever. Inter Miami concluded their 2025 season with the highest goals tally (81) and second-highest goal difference in the league (26), almost winning the Supporters’ Shield. They will likely keep their foot on the gas this season with players like Allende, Silvetti, and De Paul rearing to go.
Messi (+120 to score anytime) and Luis Suarez (+180) are Miami’s most probable goal scorers after combining for 39 goals and 31 assists in the regular season. Thaedo Allende comes in priced at +245, after the 26-year-old broke the record for MLS postseason goals with nine to help lift the trophy. Miami most certainly has goals in them for this one.
Los Angeles FC
LAFC has had a quiet offseason, but did lock in the loan signing of midfielder Stephen Eustaquio. Heung-min Son made an immediate impact after being signed midway last year, with nine goals in 10 games. Star forward Denis Bouanga nearly led the MLS in goals with 24 last season, with the 31-year-old coming back for another successful season after the team placed third in the Western Conference. The team boasted the third-highest goal differential (25) in the MLS and even made it to the Conference semifinals before exiting to a talented Vancouver squad. Tuesday, February 17, saw the side dish out six goals against Real Espana in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup first round.
Bouanga is, in fact, the night’s most likely goalscorer at +110 odds as the Black and Gold stand strong at home at the LA Memorial Coliseum, after netting a hat-trick in Tuesday’s game. Heung-min Son made a world of difference after being signed halfway through the season, averaging a goal per game for LAFC, and comes into this matchup marked at +130 odds to score after tucking home a penalty against Real Espana. LA’s Jemeru Ebobisse also has the potential to get on the scoresheet quite early this season at +185 odds, after finishing last year with five goals to his name.
MLS Prediction: Who Will Win LAFC vs. Inter Miami?
The first game of the season between two talented sides isn’t an easy pick to make, but considering how much young talent can support Leo Messi and Miami, it’s hard to go against the Argentine maestro. Even in past games where the side went down, they still managed to climb back due to Messi’s sheer goalscoring and playmaking ability.
Heung-min Son will definitely get his chances as the sharpshooter he is, and Bouanga will be ready to poach for LA when necessary, so you can take a chance on a higher scoring game without a doubt.
But, with Miami’s Allende and Silvetti providing so much pace on the flanks, they will likely exploit the space created by Messi. Mix that in with Rodrigo de Paul’s experience and an overall championship mentality from last year, and you have a 2-1 away win for Miami’s first game of the season.