Inter Miami vs Real Salt Lake Preview, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips
Inter Miami vs Real Salt Lake Preview
Major League Soccer 2024 season kicks off this week with Inter Miami hosting Real Salt Lake at the Chase Stadium. The venue remains the same as last season for Lionel Messi’s side, but it has a new name after they sold the naming rights to JP Morgan Chase.
Tata Martino will be hoping that his men put the 2023 season behind them and start focusing on the new season as they aim to make it to the playoffs. They have a few new names added to the side and should be able to make it into the top 5.
Luis Suarez, Julian Gressel, Tyler Hall, and Isarael Boatwright are the fresh faces to the squad, with Nicolas Freire loaned in from Pumas. However, they have lost a chunk of their 2023 squad, with Josef Martinez, Victor Ulloa, and Kamal Miller the big absentees.
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They did not have a pre-season to remember as they were thrashed by Al-Nassr while also losing to Al Hilal, FC Dallas, and Vissel Kobe. Their only victory came against Hong Kong XI, a match which Messi missed due to injury.
Real Salt Lake were involved in The Atlantic Cup and won two of their three matches. Their only other pre-season match was against Toronto FC, which they drew 1-1 last week.
In the pre-season, they added Silva, Bonilla, Barajas, Katranis, Crooks, Bell, Gozo and Moisa to the squad. However, they did let go of as many players while also loaning Rubin, Pierre and Lambert for the season.
Team News
Inter Miami have announced that Corentin Jean will no longer be with them after they bought out his contract. The forward who suffered an ACL injury last season was released earlier this week and that frees up an international spot for them.
Ian Fray and Franco Negri are still recovering from their ACL injuries and will be out of the match this week. Benjamin Cremaschi is still out with a hernia injury, while Facundo Farias is already ruled out of the season with a torn ACL.
Tata Martino is unlikely to call up Gregore this week as he edges closer to an exit with Botafogo interested. Sergio Busquets is back in training and should make the team against Real Salt Lake.
As for the visiting team, Andres Gomez and Nelson Palacio are unlikely to make the team. Both face late fitness tests and are in a tough-and-go situation. Bryan Oviedo was subbed off in a pre-season clash earlier this month but is expected to make the starting XI.
Predicted Lineups
Inter Miami
Inter Miami are expected to start the match with a 4-3-3 formation this week against Real Salt Lake. They used the same formation in pre-season, but the results did not go their way.
Callender should keep his place in goal, with Yedlin and Alba playing as the fullbacks, just as at the end of last season with Aviles and Freire at the heart of the defense.
Sergio Busquets should be the anchor in the midfield with Ruiz and Gressel on his sides. Lionel Messi will partner with Robert Taylor and his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez in the attack.
Predicted XI: Callender, Yedlin, Aviles, Freire, Alba, Gressel, Busquets, Ruiz, Messi, Suarez, Taylor
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake are likely to stick to the basics and go into the game with a 4-2-3-1 formation. They will be confident of getting the win with most of their first-team player fit and available.
Macmath should start in goal with Brody, Glad, Vera and Oviedo playing right in front of him. Ojeda and Eneli will be the defensive midfielders and will have a key role to play when the fullbacks attack.
Julio, Ruiz and Luna should be the first names in the midfield and can spring a surprise on Inter Miami with Arango leading the attack.
Predicted XI: MacMath, Brody, Glad, Vera, Oviedo, Eneli, Ojeda, Julio, Ruiz, Luna, Arango
Head-to-Head
Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake have never met before, and this will be their first-ever clash in the MLS.
Prediction:
Inter Miami will be the favorites going into the game as they have the firepower when compared with Real Salt Lake. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are fit and should they start, it is more than likely that they will end up on the scoresheet.
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As for Real Salt Lake, Matt Crooks will be the best-attacking player as he comes in with a lot of experience from Championship side Middlesbrough.
Prediction: Inter Miami 2-1 Real Salt Lake
Betting Tips and Odds
Betting Tips
Inter Miami to Win
Both Teams To Score: Yes.
Over 2.5 Goals: Yes.
Odds
- Inter Miami Win: 1.63
- Draw: 4.80
- Real Salt Lake Win: 5.80
Inter Miami vs Real Salt Lake Timings & Telecast
- Chase Stadium – 22nd February – 01:00 GMT
- India: MLS Season Pass
- United Kingdom: MLS Season Pass
- US: Fox, Fox Desportes and FS1