FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami MLS Playoffs preview and prediction
FC Cincinnati takes to its home grounds at TQL Stadium this Sunday at 5:00pm ET with its Inter Miami challengers looking to make their first-ever MLS Cup Final. Both sides concluded memorable regular seasons and will be rearing to go for this weekend’s showdown.
Cincinnati is back in the Conference Semifinals after losing in the first round last year to NYCFC, and they’ll be sure to cherish their third ever Conference Semifinals in history. Inter Miami, on the other hand, made history themselves with their first-ever appearance in the Conference Semifinals, which should make the stakes higher than ever before for this match.
FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami MLS Playoffs Odds and Betting Trends
The two sides’ head-to-head history dates back only to 2020, with both teams evenly split at five wins, five losses, and three draws each. Cincinnati were the most recent victors in a 3-0 win over Miami on July 16, but just 10 days later on July 26, they met again in a scoreless 0-0 draw.
FC Cincinnati will take home turf this weekend but is a slight underdog at +175 on the three-way moneyline MLS soccer odds board with under 3.5 goals expected at -150. Inter Miami comes in at +115 to win, while a draw by the end of 90’ is marked at +270.
FC Cincinnati
Cincinnati were MLS Cup finalists in 2023 and will want a chance at the Cup once again after finishing this year’s regular season in second place before meeting Columbus in the first round of the MLS Playoffs. Cincinnati edged out a close 1-0 victory in the first leg as Kevin Dekney tucked away the 78’ game-winner, yet the Orange and Blue were crushed 4-0 on Columbus’s away grounds the next game. It took a close 2-1 victory in game three, courtesy of a brace from Brenner, to seal Cincinnati’s spot in the Eastern Conference Semis.
Forward Kevin Denkey (16 regular-season goals, 1 postseason goal) and midfielder Evander (18 regular-season goals and 13 assists) have been crucial in the team’s success so far. Both are marked to score anytime this weekend at +180. While Brenner has only played six games for the club, he leads his team in postseason goals with two and is set to score in this matchup at +210.
Inter Miami
Inter Miami is in the midst of its best season to date, finishing third place in the East to take on Nashville SC in the first round of the MLS Playoffs. Game 1 ended in a 3-1 result to Miami at home, as Lionel Messi netted a brace to sandwich Tadeo Allende’s 62’ game-winner. However, the Flamingos dropped 2-1 to Nashville in Game 2 – Messi being Miami’s only goalscorer of the night. Inter Miami hardly saw adversity in the final game three, as they chewed out a 4-0 victory with both Messi and Allende netting braces to advance.
Messi concluded the regular season as the Golden Boot winner with 29 goals to his name (and the most assists with 19), and is already leading the charts in the postseason with 5 so far. As such, he’s set to score this weekend at -130. Tadeo Allende (3 postseason goals so far) is a close second, marked to score tonight at +390.
MLS Playoffs Prediction: Who Will Win FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami?
FC Cincinnati does have plenty of experience when it comes to MLS Playoffs, but Miami is pushing on with its best season to date. Inter Miami concluded the regular season with the most goals scored in the MLS (81), 13 goals more than the next-highest Chicago Fire.
It won’t be easy, as Cincinnati only let up 40 regular-season goals. Although, with Lionel Messi blasting goals in for the Flamingos, Miami’s run to the finals looks hopeful. With that being said, I’m going with a 3-1 Inter Miami victory and Leo Messi to score (-130), covering the over 3.5 game total at +115 and allowing Miami to participate in its first-ever MLS Cup Final.
