Where to Stream the Atlanta United vs Inter Miami Match: Live Coverage Options Available

Inter Miami Continues Playoff Push Without Lionel Messi

Messi’s Rest and Inter Miami’s Surge

Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer (MLS) club, will be facing Atlanta United in a crucial playoff push without their star player, Lionel Messi. Messi was given the opportunity to rest during Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia, allowing him to skip the intense physical demands of playing in the high altitude of La Paz. However, the quick turnaround for the game against Atlanta proved too soon for Messi, and he did not make the trip to continue Inter Miami’s surge up the Eastern Conference standings.

When Messi joined Inter Miami, the team was struggling at the bottom of the table. However, in their last four league matches, they have collected 10 points, including a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sporting KC in their most recent game, even without Messi and several other players who were away on international duty. This recent surge has injected new energy into Inter Miami’s playoff hopes.

A Tale of Two Formations

In their previous encounter in the Leagues Cup, Inter Miami dominated Atlanta United with a commanding 4-0 victory. However, today’s hosts have also been in good form, earning seven points from four matches against strong opponents since their Leagues Cup exit. This sets the stage for an intriguing clash between two teams riding on positive momentum.

Inter Miami Lineup

Inter Miami will be back at full strength, except for Messi, after missing eight players due to international duty. Robbie Robinson is expected to cover for Messi. While there were concerns about Robinson’s fitness, reports from ESPN Argentina suggest that his absence from the match is simply to give him more time to recover.

There is one injury concern for Inter Miami, as young midfielder Diego Gomez picked up a thigh injury while training with Paraguay during the international break. The length of his absence is yet to be determined. Additionally, Corentin Jean, Ian Fray, and Franco Negri are all recovering from ACL tears and will be out for an extended period. Gregore is pushing for his return from a long-term foot problem.

Atlanta United Lineup

Atlanta United managed to avoid losing Thiago Almada to international duty, and he will remain the focal point of their attack. He has been developing a promising partnership with Georgios Giakoumakis up front. The hosts’ only injury concern is midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, who is sidelined with a knee problem. Machop Chol is close to returning from a hamstring injury and has been getting minutes with the reserve side. New signing Jamal Thiare, who joined from Le Havre, has also trained with the club and could potentially feature after resolving his visa issues.

Analysis of Betting Odds

The betting hype surrounding Inter Miami seems to have cooled lately, but it is unclear why. The same Inter Miami side had dominated Atlanta United with a 4-0 victory in the Leagues Cup, and not much has changed since then, apart from Messi’s absence. However, one thing that can be expected is goals. Inter Miami had managed to keep Almada and Giakoumakis in check in their previous encounter, but since then, Almada has been a consistent goal contributor in four out of five matches, while Giakoumakis has emerged as a contender for the Golden Boot. Messi’s odds to score are -135, and +400 for two or more goals. For those feeling bold, the odds for a Messi hat trick are +1200.

In conclusion, Inter Miami’s surge without the presence of Messi and their recent victory over Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup set the stage for an emotionally charged matchup. The absence of Messi provides an opportunity for other players to step up and continue their team’s playoff push. Fans can catch the action on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV+ and expect an exciting match between two teams finding their form at the right time.