MLS Eastern Conference Final Preview, Prediction: Inter Miami vs. New York City FC
Get ready for an exciting Eastern Conference Final showdown between the 2021 MLS Cup winners NYCFC and the legendary Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Tune in to kickoff at 6 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium as these teams battle it out to reach the MLS Cup final.
New York City FC has plenty of experience with conference finals since 2015, reaching this stage twice before this in 2021 (winners) and 2024. The same can’t be said for Inter Miami, who’ve made it to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in history, thanks to Leo Messi and company, who will try to write history this weekend at their home field in Miami.
Inter Miami vs. New York City FC MLS Eastern Conference Final Odds and Betting Trends
The two eastern sides clashed a total of four times in the MLS since 2024, with the first three of those games ending in draws. Most recently in September, though, Inter Miami put four unanswered past New York to record a valiant 4-0 win at Yankee Stadium.
Miami is the home side tomorrow evening as a well-earned No. 3 seed, with odds to win in regulation marked at -190 and odds to advance overall at -370. New York City FC will have plenty of adversity to overcome this match, as they enter at +425 on the MLS odds to win in regulation and +275 to advance, with a draw by the end of 90 minutes priced at +360 odds. The under 3.5 is a more likely projection at -130, although an over 3.5 could happen at +105 odds.
Inter Miami
Inter Miami is taking out opponents left and right with goals galore, making their most recent opponents of FC Cincinnati fail to even look like a second seed as the Herons pushed on with a 4-0 shutout victory. Miami fired off 18 shots and nine on target, with Lionel Messi opening the scoring in the 19th minute, giving way to three assists – one to Matteo Silvetti in the 57th minute and two set-ups for Tadeo Allende’s brace earned in the 74th. The Herons have 12 goals scored in the playoffs, making them the most offensively lethal team left in the running.
It’s truly no shocker that Miami’s Leo Messi comes in for the night ready to score anytime at -200 odds, as he not only led the regular season with 29 goals and 19 assists, but he leads the playoff charts with six goals and six assists. Teammates Luis Suarez, Allen Obando and Mateo Silvetti all come in as the next highest probable goal scorers for Miami at +170, +185 and +225 odds, respectively.
New York City FC
NYCFC knocked out the MLS Supporters Shield winner, Philadelphia Union, 1-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals last weekend as Maximiliano Moralez netted his first goal of the postseason in the 27th minute. The Union fired off 12 shots with 52 per cent possession, although NYCFC made the most of their chances with six shots and six on target before holding on to Moralez’s single goal for the win.
Defender Nicolas Fernandez comes in as NYCFC’s most probable anytime goalscorer at +260 odds, with two already in the playoffs, followed by Seymour Reid at +270 odds.
MLS Eastern Conference Final Prediction: Who Will Win Inter Miami vs. New York City FC?
All things considered, Miami should have this home game on lockdown by the end of 90 minutes, as the team is averaging slightly less than one goal allowed and three goals for per game in the playoffs. In addition to that, New York City FC failed to showcase any real threat besides one special team goal moment against the Union in the Semis.
With the offensive creativity and threat of Messi, matched with the pace and finishing ability of Allende and Silvetti at the home chase stadium, Miami are in for at least a 2-1 win by the end of regulation, which could cash the under 3.5 at -130.
