Lionel Messi meets his first repeat opponent as an Inter Miami player, with the team returning home to DRV PNK Stadium to match up against Nashville SC in MLS action on Wednesday.
Inter Miami, looking to make an improbable charge for an MLS playoff spot, picked up their first league win of Messi's career last time out. The Argentine came off the bench to score the sealing goal in the final 10 minutes of a 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls, capping off a grueling but successful three-game road trip.
They now return home to face a familiar foe, as Nashville battled Inter Miami hard in the Leagues Cup final little more than a week ago. Nashville shook off a 23rd minute Messi goal to keep their opponents in check for large stretches of the match, securing a 1-1 draw before eventually falling in a penalty shootout.
Messi has failed to score in just one of his 11 matches with Inter Miami to date, and even in that game — a 3-3 draw with FC Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal — Messi provided a pair of assists.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along with highlights & commentary as Inter Miami meet Nashville SC
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC match facts
- Date: Wednesday, August 30
- Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 a.m. BST (Sun, Aug. 31) / 9:30 a.m. AEST (Sun, Aug. 31)
- Location: Stadio Diego Maradona (Naples, Italy)
- Official: Chris Penso
- Last meeting: Nashville SC 1-1 Inter Miami (Aug. 19, 2023 | Leagues Cup Final)
MORE: A full tracker of all players who have swapped shirts with Lionel Messi with Inter Miami
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Inter Miami (-165)
- Handicap lean: Inter Miami -0.5 (-185)
- Score prediction: Inter Miami 2-1 Nashville SC
Nashville SC defended Inter Miami incredibly well, but two things let them down. First, while they out-shot Inter Miami by a decent margin, they ultimately didn't create many positive chances, putting together just 1.14 expected goals from shots.
Second, their finishing was poor. Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge both had big chances that went begging, while only a bad miss from Leonardo Campana at the death stood out for Inter Miami.
Add in that Walker Zimmerman could miss this game due to injury, and Nashville will likely fall victim to the same issues that saw them unable to hoist the Leagues Cup.
MORE: A look at the MLS top goal scorers and whether Lionel Messi can catch the league leaders
| Inter Miami win | Draw | Nashville win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | MIA -0.5 | NSH +0.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | -165 | +333 | +375 | -165 / +115 | -200 / +135 | -185 | +125 |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) | -185 | +332 | +403 | -159 / +101 | -164 / +124 | -172 | +134 |
| Top Betting Sites (UK) | 15/8 | 23/10 | 13/10 | 5/6, 5/6 | 11/10, 4/6 | — | — |
| Unibet (Australia) | 1.52 | 4.35 | 5.60 | 1.68 / 2.12 | 1.58 / 2.35 | — | — |
| Dafabet (India) | 1.60 | 4.30 | 5.20 | 1.70 / 2.12 | — | — | — |
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC: best bet
- Pick: Both teams to score — YES
- Odds: -150 (BetMGM)
Are these odds great? No. Are they worth the selection? Yes.
Since Messi joined Inter Miami, the club has held just two clean sheets in 11 matches, with both results coming in dominant victories against clearly inferior sides (Atlanta United and Charlotte FC). Nashville SC are no slouches, and they proved last time out that the attacking firepower to breach this Inter Miami defense exists.
Drake Callender has played well enough to earn himself a look from U.S. National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter, but he won't be able to keep the visitors out of the net entirely.
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC prop bet
- Pick: Inter Miami to win 1st half
- Odds: +100 (BetMGM)
Miami have been a much better first half team since Messi joined – that much is clear. They're fully capable of scoring second half goals, of course, but defensively they are far more locked in before the break.
Since Messi joined, Inter Miami have won six of nine first halves, including against Nashville SC when they led 1-0 at the break. They scored first in each of his first seven games with the club until FC Cincinnati put them under fire early in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal. The last time they faced Nashville, Inter Miami were hemmed in somewhat in the first half, but got their lead and held things in check overall before fading late.
Tired legs have inundated this club lately, but early in matches that won't matter.
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC live stream, TV channel
MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with Fubo in USA
| Streaming | |
|---|---|
| Global | Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass) |
