Lionel Messi did not play last weekend, and his team got obliterated by the New York Red Bulls 4-0. He’s expected to make his comeback on Saturday, March 30, when the Herons play against New York City FC at home. This is one of the reasons why Inter Miami’s odds are -137 at the moment.
Inter Miami vs. New York City FC Odds
| Moneyline | Odds |
|---|---|
| Inter Miami | -137 |
| Draw | +275 |
| New York City FC | +350 |
When, Where, and How to Watch?
- Place: Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Date: Saturday, March 30, 2024
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- How to Watch: Apple TV
Reasons Why Inter Miami is Expected to Win
Inter Miami is 3-1-2 this season in the MLS, with both of the losses happening when Lionel Messi wasn’t around. The last of those happened last weekend when the Red Bulls destroyed them 4-0. It was an embarrassing loss, and the Herons need to bounce back from it ASAP.
The good news is that Messi is expected to return this coming weekend. Another good news is that the Inter Miami vs. NYCFC game is played in Florida. Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale is the place where the Herons tend to do great.
In their most recent home game, they defeated Nashville SC 3-1 in the CONCACAF Champions League. Messi played for 50 minutes in that game, scoring one goal and making one assist. Luis Suarez did exactly the same, while the third goal was the work of Robert Taylor.
New York City FC Struggling in 2024
NYCFC is 1-0-4 in the 2024 MLS, with its only win happening against Toronto FC, which is doing okay this season, but which was the worst team last year. The game was played on NYCFC’s turf, and the hosts won 2-1, despite being with just 10 men on the field for almost half an hour.
They did very well defensively in the closing moments of the game, which is what they hope they can repeat in the March 30 game. The trouble is that they do not look capable of keeping a clean sheet against Messi & Co. But can they score against the Herons?
It doesn’t look very likely. The thing is that NYCFC are 0-0-3 on the road, with a score differential of 0-4.
Inter Miami vs. NYCFC Prediction
Inter Miami is a better team than NYCFC, even without Lionel Messi on the field. At home, they look capable of beating almost any team in the league and NYCFC is no exception. Our prediction for Saturday’s game is an easy win for Inter Miami.
Pick: Inter Miami