Inter Miami CF vs Atlanta United Fc Prediction & Betting Tips - Leagues Cup

Prediction published on 24/07/2023, 16:16  by Joseph King | Modified on 24/07/2023 at 16:21 in Football Predictions

The new-look Leagues Cup continues with Atlanta United playing their first match of Group J when they take on leaders Inter Miami. The news around the tournament so far has been Lionel Messi’s debut and fantastic free kick winner in stoppage time of Inter’s 2-1 win over Cruz Azul. The three points means that Inter Miami will guarantee passage into the knockout rounds with just a point against Atlanta. However, there is a good chance that they will advance even if they lose as teams take part in only two group stage games with the top two advancing. The piece of genius produced by the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner gave the Herons their first win in over a month. They had previously been on a six match winless run in which they conceded a total of 15 goals while scoring only seven. Fans can expect to be treated to another Messi appearance in this encounter. Manager Tata Martino stated to the media that “it is very likely that Messi and Busquets will play longer, even from the beginning.” 

Atlanta United will be looking to bounce back following a pair of 2-1 defeats, the first to New England and the most recent at home to Orlando. The Five Stripes are sitting seventh in the domestic MLS season with nine wins and eight draws from their 24 league fixtures. Atlanta will have to reconcile with their poor away form as they’ve found it a struggle to pick up consistent results. They’ve managed only two wins from 12 trips in the league and have a notably worse-off goal differential at -9 compared to +12 on home soil. One thing that hasn’t been lacking from Atlanta United games this season has been goals. They possess the league’s second-highest average goals per match total at 3.38. With Messi likely being handed a start, we could be in for another action-packed affair with both teams getting on the scoresheet.