Betting Odds Preview For Messi & Inter Miami Versus Charlotte FC

Lionel Messi is what American soccer fans are raving about in this year’s installment of the Leagues Cup.

Since acquiring Messi, MLS’ Inter Miami is 3-1-0 (W-D-L) in Leagues Cup play. Before landing the 2022 World Cup Golden Ball winner, Miami had registered only five wins this season. 

The next round of the tournament is Friday, August 11, at DRV Pink Stadium. Inter Miami has a date with Charlotte FC, whom they’ve yet to face this season but won the last head-to-head meeting in July 2022.

Messi’s skill has propelled Inter Miami into a quarterfinal berth. The Argentine brings the best out of every player on the pitch and produces magical moments. 

Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC Prediction

Inter Miami’s round-of-16 matchup proved the biggest test of the tournament for Messi and friends. FC Dallas found a glaring weakness in this star-studded Inter Miami team.

Dallas let Miami have possession of the ball, even as the away team, so they could punish Inter Miami’s slower-paced defenders on the counter-attack. Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets could do little to stop this, as they were always on offense when Dallas’ speedy attackers went the other direction.

These are some of the best players in the world, but they lack speed and young legs.

A stroke of luck proved decisive in seeing Charlotte FC advance to the quarters. In the round of 16 against the Houston Dynamo, two goaltending errors from Houston gifted Charlotte goals and a chance to face Miami.

Even though they received a fortunate turn of events in their most recent match, Charlotte FC remains unbeaten in the Leagues Cup. They’ve successfully found the back of the net eight times during the tournament, resulting in an average of two goals per game.

Anticipate Inter Miami having complete possession of the ball back home at DRV Pink Stadium. In every game Messi has started, the Argentine has scored in under eight minutes. 

We expect Inter Miami will score early on and keep their foot on the gas at home. 

Meanwhile, Charlotte will closely study how FC Dallas was able to torch the Inter Miami defense and should score on a counter-attack led by Poland international Karol Swiderski. 

For Charlotte FC to advance, they must find goals in bunches versus a shaky Inter Miami defense.

Look for a completely wide-open matchup. Miami has some of the best talents in the world, and Charlotte needs to score a truckload of goals to feel safe against Messi.

Betting Matchup Overview

Game Details

• Who: Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC (Leagues Cup)
• When: August 11, 2023
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• Where: DRV Pink Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Betting Odds Summary

• Match Result Regular Time: Inter Miami -190, Tie +310, Charlotte FC +425
• Both Teams to Score: Yes -175, No +120
• Total: Over/Under 3.5 Goals in Regular Time (+120/-175)

Odds from BetMGM Sportsbook. Subject to change.

Best Bets: Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC 

• Match Result: Inter Miami -190, Tie +310, Charlotte FC +425

The Inter Miami moneyline (-190) is the best of these three options, as they’ve looked like the new favorites to win the Leagues Cup. With Messi returning to his home turf, he’s determined to exert every effort within his capabilities to ensure a positive result. 

• Both Teams to Score: Yes -175, No +120

Both teams know advancing at this tournament stage necessitates focusing on scoring goals. Inter Miami’s sluggish defensive approach makes them susceptible to conceding, while Charlotte FC faces the challenge of confronting some of the world’s finest talents. 

Anticipating goals from both teams in this contest, the more favorable of the two bets is the “Yes” option at odds of -175.

• Total:Over/Under 3.5 Goals in Regular Time (+120/-175)

In Inter Miami’s previous matches, the Over has consistently come home. We expect this upcoming match to follow suit. 

With 13 goals scored across four games, Miami’s average comes to 3.25 goals per game. Charlotte FC has scored eight goals in four matches, averaging two goals a game. The Over (+120) is the better bet, as both teams should meet their average against lackluster defenses.

Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images