Atlanta United vs Inter Miami Preview
Inter Miami travels to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face Atlanta United on September 18 at 7:30 pm. The Herons are out for revenge after falling to a shock defeat in the reverse fixture back in May.
Atlanta is still in with a chance of making the playoffs this season, but needs to put together a strong run of form. Can they begin with a win over Inter Miami or will the league leaders get one step closer to the Supporters’ Shield?
Atlanta United vs Inter Miami Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Atlanta United and Inter Miami have clashed on 13 occasions. They have both won five matches and drawn three times in a tightly contested rivalry. They last met on May 29 in the regular season at Chase Stadium. Atlanta stunned the high-flying Herons in a 3-1 victory on the road.
Saba Lobjanidze put the visitors ahead with a stunner in the 44th minute. The Georgian forward rifled the ball into the top right corner from 25 yards. He doubled his tally and Atlanta’s lead with another superb finish in the 59th minute, curling his shot past Drake Callendar from outside the area. Lionel Messi got one back for Inter Miami in the 62nd but Jamal Thiare scored an insurance goal 10 minutes later and Atlanta saw the game out for a deserved three points.
Inter Miami last played on September 14 against the Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium. The Herons dominated possession and Callendar put on an excellent shot-stopping performance as Lionel Messi led them to a 3-1 victory. The Argentinian returned to the squad for the first time since June.
It was not all plain sailing for Miami, however. Tata Martino’s team got off to a nightmare start when Mikkel Uhre put the visitors ahead after just 59 seconds. Miami battled back and Messi scoured a four-minute brace to take the lead. He wrongfooted Kai Wagner with a smart turn before his equally smart finish levelled the game in the 26th minute. The Argentinian was first to Jordi Alba’s cross in the 30th, driving a first-time shot low to make it 2-1.
Philadelphia was too wasteful with their finishing in the second half and Miami defended well. Messi capped off a spectacular return to the team with an assist for Luis Suarez in the 98th minute. He laid the ball off for his former Barcelona teammate before the Uruguayan curled home from outside the box to end the game 3-1.
Atlanta United fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Nashville SC on September 14 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The visitors had lost their previous eight games before arriving in Atlanta, but the Five Stripes couldn’t take advantage of their poor form.
Poor defensive positioning allowed Alex Muyl to volley home at the back post after being left free of a marker in the 5th minute. After a fast break, Nashville put the ball in the back of the net in the 39th minute, but the referee disallowed the goal for offside. Atlanta ended the half 1-0 down and looking uninspired.
The Five Stripes worked their way into the box with some regularity in the second half, but couldn’t finish their chances. Daniel Rios came closest when his shot ricocheted off the post from 10 yards out. Hany Mukhtar punished Nashville for their missed chances in the 76th minute by finishing a smart attacking move, doubling his team’s lead and securing three points.
Atlanta United vs Inter Miami Predictions
Correct score prediction: Atlanta United 0-2 Inter Miami
All of Atlanta’s regular season games from now until the end of the season are important. The Five Stripes are within touching distance of the Wild Card places and still in with a chance of reaching the playoffs. Inter Miami was the first team to confirm a playoff spot this season. Their eyes are planted on winning the Supporters’ Shield. Atlanta already has a win over Miami this season, but the Herons have won five league games in a row. They have just one loss in their last 10. Atlanta has a lot to play for, but our soccer prediction is for Inter Miami to edge out the Five Stripes.
Inter Miami has been the best attacking outfit in the MLS this season. Tata Martino’s team has scored 65 goals in 28 games, showing no signs of slowing down their formidable goalscoring form with three against Philly last week. The return of Lionel Messi has bolstered their attack. The Argentinian was back in the starting XI against the Union after two months out through injury. He scored twice to take his tally to 14 for the season and Suarez netted a third to take him to 17. The South American icons have been formidable this season. With Messi back and firing, they can take the sword to Atlanta.
A well deserved moment for Leo Messi 💪 #IconOfTheMatch @royalcaribbean pic.twitter.com/uTIqyOP5xl
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 15, 2024
Atlanta United’s attack has been nowhere near the level of Inter Miami’s. The Five Stripes have scored 36 goals in the MLS. Only four teams in the league have a worse goalscoring record. Rob Valentino’s team has just one goal in their last four games in all competitions. Inter Miami can outscore every team in the league and Atlanta’s misfiring forwards will not be good enough to pip the Herons at the post.
The level of creativity between the sides is night and day. Inter Miami has a host of players who can carve out goals for their teammates. Lionel Messi has 14 assists in his 13 games this season. Julian Gressel has 12, Jordi Alba has 11 and the likes of Sergio Busquets, Suarez and Diego Gomez have a handful. In comparison, Saba Lobjanidze, Brooks Lennon and Daniel Ríos are the top three assisters for Atlanta United. They have just seven, five and three, respectively. Their forwards are living off scraps and the rest of the team needs to get the ball into dangerous areas more frequently if they want anything from this game.
Atlanta United vs Inter Miami Betting Tips
Inter Miami enters this game as the underdog, worth +175 with our online sportsbook. Atlanta isn’t far in front at +135. A plus-money bet on a team that is unbeaten in five league games and leads the league is too good to turn down. They have also won eight of their last nine. The Herons lead the league in the race for the Supporters’ Shield and we like a bet on Inter Miami to win.
Inter Miami’s goalscoring record is the best in the league. They have several players capable of finding the net and their ability to wear down even the strongest defences is incredibly impressive. The Herons waste no time and have led at halftime in all of their previous five MLS games. They are worth +350 in the MLS betting to lead at halftime and full-time and we think Tata Martino’s team can cover that bet for the sixth game in a row.
Lionel Messi made his long-awaited return last week against the Philadelphia Union. The GOAT scored a brace before setting up Luis Suarez for Inter Miami’s third. However, he played a full 90 and his status as a starter is up in the air with just three days of rest between that game and the meeting with Atlanta. That turns our attention to Luis Suarez in the soccer betting markets. He is in excellent form with five goals in his last three games. The Uruguayan can add to that at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Bet on Suarez to score anytime, worth +125.
Atlanta United has struggled to score goals this season. Saba Lobjanidze, Daniel Rios and Thiago Almada lead their scoring chart with just six apiece. The Five Stripes have only scored one goal in their last four games. Inter Miami has conceded no more than one goal in eight of their last nine games in the MLS. Bet on Atlanta United to score under 1.5 goals, worth -120 with our online sportsbook.
Live betting is also an option for this game. Atlanta already has a win over Miami this season. Rob Valentino will treat this as a must-win in their hunt for a playoff spot. They have proven they can spring a surprise or two after their victory in May and it would be worth keeping an eye on the in-play markets.
Atlanta United Team News
Xande Silva was forced off with an ankle injury in the 37th minute of Atlanta’s loss to Nashville last weekend. He is out for this game. Pedro Amador picked up a head injury and was also subbed off. He is questionable for the game against Inter Miami. Derrick Williams limped off in the 86th minute, but his injury didn’t seem serious. He should be fit to play on Wednesday night. Ronald Hernandez has been out since August with an MCL sprain and is close to a return but this game will be too soon.
- Predicted lineup: Brad Guzan, Luis Abram, Gregersen, Cobb, Mosquera, Muyumba, Slisz, Miranchuk, Lennon, Thiare, Lobjanidze.
Inter Miami Team News
Noah Allen left the field with a head injury last weekend and concussion protocol will keep him out of this match. Leo Afonso will also miss this game with a groin injury. Hector Martinez was also forced off after 15 minutes, and with no update on the severity of his injury, he is also questionable. Diego Gomez picked up a hamstring injury in training and is questionable. Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles will miss this game through suspension after accumulating four yellow cards.
- Predicted lineup: Callender, Alba, Fray, Sailor, Weigandt, Bright, Redondo, Campana, Taylor, Gressel, Suarez.
