New York City FC will play host to Inter Miami at the Yankee Stadium in Major League Soccer on Saturday. A gap of 23 points separates the sides ahead of matchday 29.
New York City FC vs Inter Miami Preview
The hosts will be looking to snap their unproductive run, which has stretched to four matches. New York City FC dropped 10 points in their last four league games following their elimination from the Leagues Cup in the quarterfinals. They have won twice in their last five league matches at home.
The Pigeons are looking to avoid last season’s scenario when they finished 11th in the Eastern Conference and failed to qualify for the playoffs. The 2021 MLS Cup winners currently sit sixth with 40 points in the Eastern Conference standings. They will qualify for round one of the playoffs if they don’t drop off the top seven.
Inter Miami are living in blissful times. They are staring at their first top finish in the overall table and their first Supporters' Shield. The visitors sit atop the overall standings on 63 points – eight ahead of second-placed LA Galaxy. With five rounds of matches to spare, the race appears to be theirs to lose.
The Herons’ head coach Gerardo Martino, however, seems to be already looking forward to the playoffs.
“The thing is, when you win (MLS Cup), you earn that star above the badge. The day that I’m given a star for winning the Supporters’ Shield, in that case, it’ll be worth it," said Martino via the Athletic.
The champions of the season are the winners of the playoffs, who will claim the MLS Cup.
New York City FC vs Inter Miami Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- New York City FC have won and drawn twice in their last five competitive matches against Inter Miami.
- New York City FC have won all the four games they have played against Inter Miami at home.
- New York City FC have won thrice, drawn once and lost once in their last five matches at home across competitions.
- Inter Miami have won twice, drawn once and lost twice in their last five matches on the road across competitions.
- New York City FC have drawn twice and lost thrice in their last five matches while Inter Miami have won thrice, drawn once and lost once. Form Guide: New York City FC – L-D-L-D-L, Inter Miami – D-W-W-W-L.
New York City FC vs Inter Miami Prediction
The hosts’ main task would be to thwart the red-hot visiting team. How they would go about it remains to be seen but disrupting coach Martino’s plan would be a success on its own.
Star-studded Inter Miami will arrive at New York with Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi, who boast 17 and 14 goals respectively in the league. Who will stop the duo at the Yankee Stadium?
Inter Miami come as the favourite based on form and momentum.
Prediction: New York City FC 1-3 Inter Miami
New York City FC vs Inter Miami Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Inter Miami
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals – Yes
Tip 3: Inter Miami to score first – Yes
Tip 4: New York City FC to score - Yes