Inter Miami begin their CONCACAF Champions Cup journey as they visit Nashville SC in continental action on Thursday.
Amidst a congested March fixture list which features seven matches this month, all eyes will be on Tata Martino as he puts together his teamsheet, expected to rotate his squad and potentially rest his biggest stars, including Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
These two teams produced a number of thrilling contests in 2023, as they met in three different competitions across the season. Nashville SC put up a strong fight in both their second-half clashes, including a thrilling Leagues Cup final in which Inter Miami lifted the trophy after a penalty shootout.
Messi has been a star performer in Inter Miami's first three games of the MLS season, but after being heavily leaned on in those games, he could see rest as Martino looks to keep him and the hobbled Suarez healthy for as much of the 2024 season as possible.
USA: Click here to see the latest odds and bet CONCACAF Champions Cup matches
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Draw (+280)
- Score prediction: Nashville SC 0-0 Inter Miami
These two teams played two extremely tight matches last season, with Lionel Messi featuring in both of them. The Leagues Cup final was pulsating, as both teams peppered the opposition goalkeeper but were held to just a goal apiece. They then played to a scoreless draw in a late August MLS fixture, with Messi ripping off seven shots but failing to put any on target as he tired following the grueling Leagues Cup run.
Here, it's possible that Tata Martino looks to rest some of his aging stars to keep them fit in the long-term, knowing a midweek CCC match could sap them of their ability to keep Inter Miami atop the MLS table. Thus, a low-scoring stalemate could be in store.
| DraftKings (USA) |
|
| Nashville SC win | +165 |
| Draw | +280 |
| Inter Miami win | +115 |
| Both teams to score Y/N |
-195 / +130 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
-165 / +110 |
| Inter Miami -0.5 goals |
+115 |
| Nashville SC +0.5 goals |
-170 |
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC match facts
- Date: Thursday, Mar. 7, 2024
- Kickoff time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
- Location: GEODIS Park (Nashville, TN)
- Referee: Marco Ortiz (MEX), VAR: Oscar Mejia (MEX)
- Last meeting: Inter Miami 0-0 Nashville SC (Aug. 30, 2023 | MLS)
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC best bet
- Pick: Under 2.5 total goals
- Odds: +110 (DraftKings)
- Pick: Both team to score — NO
- Odds: +130 (DraftKings)
Tata Martino has so far resisted the potentially tempting urge to rest Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez early in the season, leaning on them both and profiting as a result. Still, he will be constantly reminded of the knock-on effects last season after running Messi into the ground at the Leagues Cup, ultimately seeing his scar tissue problem flare up from overuse and scuppering any chance of making the playoffs down the stretch.
With continental play clogging the schedule in March and Messi set to join Argentina for international duty later this month as well, Martino will have no choice but to rest his aging star here. As a result, the game could grind to a halt as Inter Miami have yet to prove they are capable of maintaining their frenetic pace without his influence.
Nashville too have been swallowed up by continental play this season, asserting their dominance over Dominican side Moca in the previous round but being held to just one goal on 12 shots in their first two MLS matches. They are missing talisman Hany Mukhtar due to injury, and it is proving a huge loss, as one would expect.
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC live stream, TV channel
- TV Channel (English): FS2
- Streaming (English): Fubo, Fox Sports website & app
- TV Channel (Spanish): TUDN
- Streaming (Spanish): Fubo, TUDN website & app
The USA broadcast rights for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup are owned by FOX Sports, who will be televising this match on FS2, which is available to stream on Fubo, who offer a free trial for new users.
Meanwhile, there is a Spanish-language broadcast available on TUDN, which is also streaming on Fubo.
