Inter Miami on the attack!
Jul 25, 2023
Leagues Cup: Inter Miami- Atlanta United
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | MIA | ATL | CAZ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Inter Miami CF |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | Advance to knockout stage | — | Jul 25 | — | |
| 2 | Atlanta United FC |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | ||
| 3 |  Cruz Azul |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0 | 1–2 | Jul 29 | — |
This is the inaugural Leagues Cup played between teams from the MLS and Liga MX (Mexico), with all 47 teams competing, the champions of each league go directly to the knockout stage (R32), the other 45 are split into 15 groups of three, each team playing twice in a round robin and the top two will progress. All 77 games will be played in the US or Canada (basically with the MLS team hosting). If group stage games are tied after the completion of regulation time, they will go straight to a penalty shoot out, with the winner receiving two points and the loser one.
Inter Miami won their opener in Fort Lauderdale beating Cruz Azul 2-1 in a game which received incredible media coverage around the world, as it featured the debut of Lionel Messi for the hosts. He entered the field of play in the 54th minute, along with fellow new signing Sergio Busquets and both were influential, with Messi scoring the free kick winner in the 4th added minute of injury time...........of course he did!
Miami have subsequently also signed Jordi Alba and they have traded for an additional international spot with the intention it seems of adding Luis Suarez. To complete a Dad's Army of former Barcelona players! The quartet have over 1,500 appearances for the Catalan giants between them and circa 550 for their respective national teams, Spain, Argentina and Uruguay. As long as they come with the right attitude and that will surely be the case with all four in tandem, they are going to transform not just Inter Miami, but probably football in the US, at least in terms of how the MLS is seen globally.
Inter will progress today with a win or draw (of any sort), but Americans do not really like or "understand" draws in sport and with all eyes on this fixture (it is the only Leagues Cup game scheduled for today), I feel we will see Miami push for the win. Atlanta should do the same, as they would beat Inter by virtue of the first tiebreaker if they do and any other result would still leave them needing something when they host Cruz Azul on Saturday, although that is a game they should win.
Tonight is also a big fixture for Inter head coach Gerardo Martino who spent three years in charge of Atlanta and led them to the MLS Cup title in 2018 and striker Josef Martinez, who spent six years with United and was named MLS MVP that same year. Scoring almost 100 goals for the club. The visitors are 17 points ahead of Inter in the Eastern Conference, but the hosts have two games in hand and are no longer the same Miami for obvious reasons. In addition to which, United have always struggled in this city and are winless on all five visits , including a 2-1 defeat here two months ago. Both teams have scored in all five of those h2h meetings and that seems likely to be the case this evening, as Cruz who are at a bit of a low point in early season (four defeats and two goals scored), created 18 attempts, 4 BC's and were denied by the woodwork and 7 saves.
Atlanta also felt hard done by with that 2-1 loss in the league, when Martinez scored a brace and the visitors feel they match up well in terms of set pieces. United have scored a MLS high 14 goals from set plays, Inter conceding a league worst 15. The game promises goals and should be a fun watch!
We don't just sell football betting tips, as you can see there is an extensive analysis behind our asian handicap selections. Subscribing to our sports betting advice service need not break the bank. Learn more by visiting our subscriptions page.
Country:
Sport: