Inter Miami begins its CONCACAF Champions Cup journey by visiting Nashville SC in continental action on Thursday.
Amid a congested March fixture list that includes seven matches this month, all eyes will be on Tata Martino as he builds his roster, is expected to rotate his squad and potentially rest his biggest stars, including Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
These two teams produced a series of exciting competitions in 2023, as they faced off in three different competitions throughout the season. Nashville SC put up a strong fight in both of their second-half clashes, including a thrilling Leagues Cup final in which Inter Miami lifted the trophy after a penalty shootout.
Messi has been a star in Inter Miami’s first three games of the MLS season, but after being heavily pressured in those games, he could rest as Martino looks to keep him and the lame Suarez healthy for most of the season. season 2024. possible.
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Inter Miami vs Nashville SC prediction, odds
- Lean Money Line: Draw (+280)
- Score prediction: Nashville SC 0-0 Inter Miami
These two teams played two very close games last season, with Lionel Messi present in both. The final of the Leagues Cup was exciting, as both teams riddled the rival goalkeeper, but could only score one goal each. They then played out a goalless draw in an MLS match in late August, with Messi taking seven shots but failing to make any as he tired after the grueling League Cup race.
Here, Tata Martino may look to rest some of his aging stars to keep them fit long-term, knowing that a midweek CCC game could undermine his ability to keep Inter Miami at the top of the MLS table. . Therefore, a low-scoring stalemate could loom.
| DraftKings (USA) |
|
| Nashville SC victory | +165 |
| Draw | +280 |
| Inter Miami victory | +115 |
| Both teams to note Y/N |
-195 / +130 |
| Below 2.5 goals |
-165 / +110 |
| InterMiami -0.5 goals |
+115 |
| Nashville SC +0.5 goals |
-170 |
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC match details
- Date: Thursday March 7, 2024
- Start time: 9 pm Eastern Time / 6 pm Pacific Time
- Location: GEODIS Park (Nashville, Tennessee)
- Referee: Marco Ortiz (MEX), VAR: Oscar Mejía (MEX)
- Last meeting: Inter Miami 0-0 Nashville SC (August 30, 2023 | MLS)
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC best bet
- Choose: Less than 2.5 goals in total
- Odd: +110 (DraftKings)
- Choose: Both teams score – NO
- Odd: +130 (DraftKings)
Tata Martino has so far resisted the potentially tempting temptation to rest Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez early in the season, leaning on both and benefiting as a result. Still, he will be constantly reminded of the fallout from last season after taking down Messi in the Leagues Cup, ultimately seeing his scar tissue problem aggravated by overuse and ruining any chance of making the playoffs in the final stretch.
With continental play clogging up the calendar in March and Messi set to join Argentina to also play for the national team later this month, Martino will have no choice but to rest his aging star here. As a result, the game could be stopped as Inter Miami has yet to prove that it is capable of maintaining its frenetic pace without his influence.
Nashville has also been absorbed into continental play this season, asserting dominance over Dominican side Moca in the previous round but being limited to just one goal on 12 shots in its first two MLS games. They are missing talisman Hany Mukhtar due to injury and, unsurprisingly, it is proving to be a huge loss.
