How To Bet On Lionel Messi’s MLS Debut For Inter Miami
The highly-anticipated start of Lionel Messi’s MLS era is finally here.
On Friday, July 21, 2023, Inter Miami gears up for a game against the formidable Mexican powerhouse, Cruz Azul. This match will be historic, representing the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
Inter Miami will welcome a sold-out crowd of 21,100 at DRV Pink Stadium. The anticipation is palpable, as everyone is looking to witness Messi’s debut for Inter Miami at 8 p.m. ET.
Start of Something Special?
This match also marks one of the initial games of the Leagues Cup. This tournament adopts a Champions League-style format, pitting teams from Liga MX against teams from MLS, creating a competition between the two leagues.
Inter Miami finds themselves at the bottom of the MLS table, holding the lowest point total. Cruz Azul has experienced a similar start to their season, occupying last place in Liga MX.
However, the Leagues Cup provides a fresh opportunity for both teams.
Regardless of league standings, Messi’s presence should elevate other players. The prospect of playing alongside or against Messi should inspire exceptional football.
As the Leagues Cup kicks off, Inter Miami looks to start strong under new head coach Tata Martino. During his tenure at Atlanta United, Martino emphasized the role of the central attacking forward.
Messi will seamlessly fill that influential position and significantly impact the team’s performance.
The GOAT & Friends Have Arrived
Not only did Inter Miami snag Messi, they also signed the great Sergio Busquets. Busquets is one of the winningest soccer players in Spain’s history. Some would say he’s one of the best central defensive midfielders ever.
His soccer IQ will instantly help the struggling midfield of Inter Miami.
Inter Miami boasts talent, including Deandre Yedlin and Drake Callender. However, the team has identified a need for veteran leadership in the midfield, especially since one of their key midfielders, Gregore de Magalhães da Silva, suffered a year-long injury.
Busquets fills this void and instantly becomes one of MLS’s best players.
Everything is pointing in the right direction for Inter Miami as they still have two rumored signings on the way: Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez. These legendary talents are also set to make waves.
Cruz Azul vs. Inter Miami Prediction
Throughout this MLS season, Inter Miami has managed to score a total of 22 goals in 22 games. On the other hand, Cruz Azul has only netted one goal in three games.
Considering these statistics, it’s evident that both teams have struggled to score consistently.
Expect Cruz Azul to come out swinging. They understand that they may have an advantage with Messi and Busquets possibly coming off the bench in the second half.
If Cruz Azul scores early, expect Messi to substitute onto the pitch as soon as possible.
It’s reasonable to expect the match to be low scoring, with both teams focusing on their defensive strategies to secure points in this group stage.
There are no ties in Leagues Cup, and teams go to penalties directly after 90 minutes.
Betting Matchup Overview
Game Details
- Who: Cruz Azul vs. Inter Miami (Leagues Cup)
- When: Friday, July 21, 2023
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Where: DRV Pink Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Betting Odds Summary
- Match Result Regular Time: Cruz Azul +230, Tie +250, Inter Miami +100
- Both Teams to Score: Yes -140, No +100
- Total: Over/Under 2.5 Goals in Regular Time (-130/-110)
Player Props: Anytime Goalscorer
- Lionel Messi: +115
- Josef Martinez: +175
- Leonardo Campana: +210
- Diber Cambindo: +220
- No goalscorer: +900
Player Prop Bet: Cruz Azul vs. Inter Miami
For novice bettors, taking Messi anytime goalscorer in the match—priced at +115 odds at BetMGM Sportsbook—can seem an appealing player prop bet.
However, sports betting sites are not your friend, and this line is problematic.
For bettors, the strategy here is to wait until lineups come out before placing this bet. Prices will change if reporting is true that Messi will begin the match on the bench. Current pricing implies Miami’s talisman will play all 90 minutes of the match.
Of course, this strategy isn’t without risk. If lineups come out and Miami manager Tata Martino includes Messi in the Starting XI, the price could move in the opposite direction.
We recommend betting Messi at +100 or better assuming he’s starting.If he’s on the bench, bettors should attempt to find +250 or better for the Argentine to score.
Finally, remember to shop around at different sportsbooks for the best price. Some books may offer different pricing, and bettors should aim to maximize their return on investment.
Best Bets: Cruz Azul vs. Inter Miami
- Match Result: Cruz Azul +230, Tie +250, Inter Miami +100
We recommend taking the tie. Neither team has demonstrated that they are ready to steamroll opponents. The best bet here is the draw moneyline (+250), as both teams have many new pieces coming into the fold and will need time to acclimate.
Both teams secure a point from the group stage and will be looking to win on penalties to get another point on top of the point from the tie.
- Total: Over/Under 2.5 Goals in Regular Time (-130/-110)
The under (-110) is the play. The teams have struggled to score in their respective leagues and will try not to make a tactical mistake to open the tournament on the wrong foot.
