Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for Lionel Messi in Leagues Cup

Lionel Messi's dream start to his Inter Miami career has shown no signs of slowing down, as he once again played hero to keep the MLS club's Leagues Cup hopes alive.

Messi scored another glorious free-kick in the 85th minute to equalize against FC Dallas, sending the match to a penalty shootout after a 4-4 draw. Messi then started the shootout by scoring his spot-kick, and Drake Callender's stop on Paxton Pomykal was enough to send them through to the quarterfinals.

Now against fellow MLS club Charlotte FC in the quarterfinals, who topped Houston Dynamo in the Round of 16, Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba will again play a central role in the club's revival.

These two clubs are both near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, and Leagues Cup success will undoubtedly spur them on through the remainder of MLS play once it restarts in two weeks.

Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC match facts

• Date: Friday, August 10
• Kickoff Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 a.m. BST (Sat, Aug. 11) / 10:30 a.m. AEST (Sat, Aug. 11)
• Location: DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
• Official: TBD
• Last meeting: Inter Miami 3-2 Charlotte FC (July 16, 2022 | MLS)

Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC prediction, odds

• Moneyline lean: Inter Miami (-225)
• Score prediction: Inter Miami 3-1 Charlotte FC

While Inter Miami have yet to play a truly challenging opponent since Lionel Messi arrived, they have proven capable of beating up on the bad ones.

Messi & Friends carved Atlanta United to shreds in the group stage, and they overwhelmed Orlando City in the Round of 32 as well. Inter Miami remain defensively challenged at times, and it's hard to see them winning the entire competition, but they have a kind draw here in the Round of 16 and Charlotte should prove no match.

Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC best bet

• Pick: Both teams to score — YES
• Odds: -145 (BetMGM)

The odds here aren't exactly palatable, but they're not remotely skewed enough. Both these teams love to score goals, and they won't hide their chaos mindsets.

12th-placed Charlotte have scored 30 goals in MLS play through 23 games and conceded 40 — that scoring total is more than anyone 10th or lower in the Eastern Conference, and the concessions are tops in the East. Goals will be had here, even if Inter Miami have to do all or most of the work.

Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC prop bet

• Pick: Over 3.5 total goals
• Odds: +130 (BetMGM)

See above. These goal odds aren't quite high enough for two high-tempo teams that enjoy putting on a show. We all know about Inter Miami's tendencies by now, but Charlotte FC profile much the same way, having seen the 3.5 goal threshold triggered in four of their last six games across both MLS and Leagues Cup.