Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia preview: Lionel Messi odds, best Messi bets, up to $4,650 in sportsbook promo codes

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Philadelphia has a chance to do what no other team has: beat a Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami. The Leagues Cup semifinal from Philadelphia showcases an intriguing battle between one of the best MLS teams and Messi and his flawless Miami side.

Here are a few of the best Messi props bets for Tuesday evening’s clash in the City of Brotherly Love.

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Inter Miami is flying, outscoring its opponents 17-6 and racking up five straight victories since Messi joined the team. The club’s Leagues Cup run includes eight Messi goals and an assist. He has scored in his five matches, three of which bagged a brace.

Philadelphia, though, poses a stiffer challenge. The Union has the joint-fifth-best defensive record in MLS, conceding 26 goals in 23 matches. That sound defensive record is even better at Subaru Park, where the Union has only conceded seven goals in 11 MLS matches, the league’s third-stingiest total.

Of course, Tuesday’s semifinal isn’t an MLS match, but it gives you an idea of what Inter Miami is up against. The looming question is, when Messi is involved, does it matter?

I’d say a little bit of yes, but mostly no. We’re speaking about the world’s greatest footballer playing against second-tier opponents, at least for the most part.

Philadelphia required penalties to advance in two of its three knockout-round games, while Miami outscored its three knockout-round opponents 11-5, needing penalties in its lone away match at Dallas.

Inter Miami is the favorite across the board at all major sportsbooks, reinforcing Messi’s perceived invincibility.

There isn’t a game Messi in which hasn’t scored so far. Tuesday’s match in Philadelphia represents an altogether more challenging scenario, but this is Messi we’re talking about.

Philadelphia will do its utmost to prevent Messi from penetrating. And their defense is the best Messi has faced since landing stateside, so, at least for this match, I’m avoiding the multi-goal market. Messi can easily bag two or three, but one is more feasible against a side that rarely concedes.

This is a prop bet you’ll want to jump all over. As if you need reminding, Messi pops up when it matters most. He scored the last goal in the previous three Inter Miami matches. The tasty potential return makes it worth a punt, especially considering it’s a semifinal we’re talking about.

And we all know what Messi is capable of in do-or-die situations.

I like this Messi prop for various reasons: First, Messi has notched at least one shot on target in the five matches he’s played, even on his cameo debut, which encompassed just 34 minutes.

Second, Messi hasn’t notched an assist since his second game at the club, a 4-0 win over Atlanta on July 25. That means he’s due for another helper.

The likelihood of that happening against Philadelphia probably increases due to the home side’s superior collective defense. They’ll hone in on Messi, double-teaming him at every opportunity, allowing the diminutive maestro to find an incisive and telling pass.

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