Nashville SC VS Inter Miami meet today for the final match of the North & Central America Leagues Cup. Lionel Messi and Hany Mukhtar will both want to win their first major trophies for their respective teams when they meet tonight in the Music City.
It is tough to decide which side is fresh off a more impressive semifinal victory entering into this game.
Miami trashed the Philadelphia Union 4-1 on the road in their semifinal, delivering most of the blow against the defending Eastern Conference champions before halftime.
Nashville may have played at home, but their 2-0 victory over five-time CONCACAF Club champions CF Monterrey is as good as this region gets.
MatchPlug has covered the preview of Nashville VS Miami to show you the Best soccer bets today, picks, odds, and analysis for this match.
Predictions and Betting Preview For Nashville SC VS Inter Miami 2023 Leagues Cup Final
- Venue: Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee.
- When: Sunday, August 20th, 2023.
- Time: 2:00 GMT
- Teams to play: Nashville and Miami.
- MLS Picks: Under 2.5
Odds provided by 1XBet and BetMGM.
Betting On Nashville SC
- 1XBet Spread: +1.5
- 1XBet Over/Under: Over 2.5
- 1XBet Moneyline: 3.54
- BetMGM Over/Under: Over 2.5
- BetMGM Moneyline: 3.00
In terms of winning margins, Miami’s last two victories have been their most dominant. And one thing they both had in common was an opponent that liked to play a high line of contention choosing to sit deeper.
A low block is a bad way to foil Messi’s team. But if Nashville SC went it, they’ll feel more comfortable as a side that often applies such tactics against other MLS teams, especially on the road.
Although it is possible for them to lose their wits given the occasion, hosting CF Monterrey in the last decade was enough practice for them to control today’s match.
Nashville also has Hany Mukhtar the MLS MVP front-runner, who is leading the contest for the Golden Boot chase in American Soccer after receiving the award last year. Mukhtar also has two Leagues Cup goals but has frequently played provider with five assists since the round of 16.
Additionally, new signee Sam Surridge has made an immediate mark, scoring in the last three matches he appeared in as a substitute for the second half. He scored the winning goal against Monterrey, and with how Nashville’s matches end, he may be kept in the super sub role today.
Betting On Inter Miami
- 1XBet Spread: -1.5
- 1XBet Over/Under: Under 2.5
- 1XBet Moneyline: 1.95
- BetMGM Over/Under: Under 2.5
- BetMGM Moneyline: 2.10
Lionel Messi made his debut in the inaugural match of this tournament contested between the 47 clubs in MLS and Liga MX and given the way he’s played so far, it is as if the competition was meant solely for him.
He scored 9 goals and assisted two more during Inter Miami’s intriguing run and helped the team dominate their opposition, outscoring opponents 21-7 in this event.
Based on the early standards he set, he is slowed in his performance in the last two games with only two goals delivered. But the Herons have scored early every time so it hasn’t really mattered. Messi being on their side alone, sends fear into the minds of opposing defenders.
Among the people supporting the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is Robert Taylor who boasts four goals and a team-leading five assists in the tournament. Josef Martinez also has three goals in the competition and scored his first non-penalty Leagues Cup goal to open the scoring against Philly.
If there is a reason for Nashville to be scared of Miami, is because of the analytics that suggests their scores have been more prominent than the performances, especially in their away matches. They lost the xG battle in both and ended 6-3 in big opportunities in those two road contests. Last Tuesday’s semifinal and a 4-4 draw in a round-of-16 clash against Dallas was decided on penalties.
MatchPlug Prediction
Inter Miami’s playing style continuously results in lesser corners than is expected from a club whose victories have been dominant. This is due to their focus on giving the ball to Messi in the center of the park and partly to matches where chance creation is greater than the final result.
Nevertheless, Miami is yet to out-corner an opponent since Messi arrived and hasn’t scored more than three corners in a single game. Experts say there are many ways to fade him in the corner kicks market, but a better option would be to play the Herons at and under.
And while Messi’s power cannot be ignored, the chances the Herons keep allowing can’t be also overlooked, especially against top-tier MLS opponents.
Final Prediction: Inter Miami – Under 2.5.
Related Preview:
Soccer Predictions Today: Philadelphia Union VS Monterrey Sure Tips.
