Inter Miami CF vs Charlotte FC Prediction & Betting Tips - Major League Soccer

Prediction published on 17/10/2023, 14:23  by Joseph King | Modified on 17/10/2023 at 14:24 in Major League Soccer Predictions

14th-place Inter Miami and 12th-place Charlotte FC play the first of a two game series against each other to wrap up their 2023 regular seasons. While Miami have been eliminated from contention for the MLS Cup Playoffs, Charlotte can still book their spot. The visitors sit two points behind ninth-place DC United with two games in hand which would grant them a play-in position. They will also be competing with 10th-place NYRB and 11th-place Chicago who they trail by a single point but have a game in hand advantage. Charlotte can potentially secure eighth-place if they are able to win these remaining two matches against Inter Miami. The new playoff format sees eighth and ninth-place play a one-off play-in match to determine the final participant. 

Inter Miami were unable to keep up the blistering pace they set in the Leagues Cup. Losing Lionel Messi for the last few games certainly didn’t help as the side struggled to create the same kind of chances. Messi was injured in the team’s 4-0 home win over Toronto on September 20th and has only just returned in the team’s most recent match with a sub appearance. Unfortunately for them, they’ll likely be without their 36-year-old talisman for this encounter as Messi has been on international duty with Argentina. The team's last outing resulted in a 1-0 home loss to Supporters' Shield champions Cincinnati.

Charlotte have certainly left it late to turn around their form but they control their own destiny after a streak of two consecutive wins. A 3-0 home victory over Toronto was followed up with a 2-0 away win over Chicago in their most recent outing. The winning streak snapped a run of six matches without a victory. Christian Lattanzio’s men can now guarantee their spot in the postseason with another two wins. Should they take four points from the final six, their fate could be determined by results elsewhere.