Los Angeles FC vs Inter Miami Odds, Prediction, Pick
Los Angeles FC vs Inter Miami Predictions
In the 2023 Leagues Cup, Los Angeles FC were one of the top favorites to go all the way. The club had an additional advantage because they qualified directly for the knockout stage of the competition because they became the MLS top seed after winning the title last season.
They started the campaign with a scintillating 7-1 drubbing of Liga MX side FC Juarez. However, two rounds later, they were eliminated by CF Monterrey. The defending MLS champions resumed the league season with a 4-0 win over Colorado Rapids but suffered a shock 2-1 defeat against Charlotte FC in the last match.
Inter Miami added a first major trophy to their cabinet after winning the 2023 Leagues Cup. They have a chance to add another piece of silverware if they win the final of the US Open Cup at the end of this month against Dynamo Houston. The club reached the final after beating FC Cincinnati in the semifinals. In the MLS, they are trying to turn their fortunes with the new arrivals. In their first MLS game after the break, the club nabbed a vital 2-0 win against New York Red Bulls. However, Inter Miami failed to nab back-to-back wins as they were held to a goalless draw at home against Nashville SC.
Before Inter Miami brought in the impactful reinforcements, this would have been an easy game to predict. However, with a revitalized and upgraded squad, Gerardo Martino’s side could be a force to reckon with in this encounter. Despite that, the match is in Los Angeles FC’s backyard and the hosts are favorites to pull off a narrow win.
These two clubs have only met each other twice in the league. Los Angeles FC have won both matches without conceding a single goal. Their maiden meeting came in the 2020 MLS season when Carlos Vela scored the only goal of the match at the stroke of halftime.
The second match took place last season. History repeated itself as Los Angeles FC took the lead at the stroke of halftime again. This time, it was Kwadwo Opoku who scored the goal. Inter Miami were reduced to ten men when Brek Shea was shown a straight red just before the break.
Playing with a man down, Inter Miami looked for an equalizer and surged forward. However, that left them exposed at the back and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi took full advantage of that situation in the 82nd minute to wrap up their second successive victory over Inter Miami.
Los Angeles FC Need to Build on Home Record
At the end of last season, Los Angeles FC defeated Philadelphia Union on penalties to lift their maiden MLS title. This season, the squad has seen a few changes but the goal remains the same – to defend their crown and nab back-to-back domestic league titles.
The club had eyes on other trophies as well but faltered at the crucial moment. They reached the CONCACAF final this year but lost against Liga MX side Club Leon. Days before that, they were eliminated from the US Open Cup by their arch-rivals, LA Galaxy.
After missing out on the 2023 Leagues Cup, the focus is entirely on the MLS title. Los Angeles FC are at home in the next game, a venue where they have only lost two out of 13 games so far. The club needs to keep picking up points at home and get closer to the top of the table.
The Defending Champions Need a Multifaceted Attack
As things stand, Denis Bouanga is Los Angeles FC’s top scorer with 12 goals in 23 MLS appearances. The winger is also their assists leader with five so far. The player has been pivotal for Los Angeles FC, but relying entirely on the 28-year-old has hurt the club.
In the last match against Charlotte FC, Bouanga nabbed another assist. However, he had the fewest touches on the ball compared to any other outfield player because of strong man-marking. The hosts took Bouanga out of the game and eventually took all three points at full-time.
A Young Uruguayan Could be Los Angeles FC’s Secret Weapon
Los Angeles FC splashed less than a million in the market to get Cristian Olivera to BMO Stadium from Spanish side Almeria. The Uruguayan scored on his debut against Colorado Rapids.
He made another substitute appearance against Charlotte FC last weekend, but could not replicate his stats in that game. However, the agile 21-year-old can run at tired defenders and cause massive problems.
Intense Playoff Pursuit Will Fuel Inter Miami’s Ambition
Despite dropping a couple of points against Nashville SC in the last match, Inter Miami still have a chance to clinch a spot for the MLS playoffs this season. As things stand, the club is ten points off ninth place with two games in hand.
Capitalizing on the two extra games they have in hand can help the side reduce the deficit down to just four points towards the end of the league season. The performance of Inter Miami in the last ten games of the league phase will be absolutely crucial.
After winning the 2023 Leagues Cup and launching themselves into the final of the US Open Cup, Lionel Messi and co. will be hungry for more. Hence, the odds of Inter Miami reaching the MLS playoffs this season are high.
Teenager Performing Well at the Heart Of Defense
In the last two MLS games, coach Martino has deployed two different tactics. Against the New York Red Bulls, Inter Miami played with five men in defense. In the match against Nashville SC, the team switched to the traditional four-man backline.
However, the one key highlight was the stellar performance of 19-year-old Tomas Aviles. Signed from Racing Club, the Argentine may come face-to-face with Bouanga and will certainly have his defensive skills tested at some point in the game.
Inter Miami Eager to Improve Away Record
With only ten league games to go this season, Inter Miami will have to work on their form on the road. The Leagues Cup victory may have felt easy, but the club struggled almost every time they were away from home. Their only comfortable away win came against the Philadelphia Union.
In the MLS, Inter Miami have played 12 games on the road. They have only won two of those. Their second away win came recently and the new arrivals are expected to help Inter Miami regain momentum in away games.
