With both teams coming into their second group matches goalless, we could see a very antsy match-up between Porto and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami — especially because whoever loses may be kissing their tournament goodbye.
Here’s the Sporting Base’s guide and insights for this must-win Group A match-up.
How to watch
- When: Friday, 5AM (AEST)
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Watch Every Game Free On DAZN By Clicking Here
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Expected lineups
- Inter Miami (4-4-2): Ustari, Weigandt, Falcón, Martínez, Allen, Picault, Redondo, Busquets, Segovia, Messi, Suárez
- Porto (3-4-2-1): Ramos, Fernandez, Pedro, Marcano, Mário, Eustáquio, Varela, Moura, Pepê, Mora, Samu
Inter Miami vs. Porto prediction
It was surprising to see Porto so shaky in the opening round of the competition, with the Portuguese challengers barely containing a buzzy Palmeiras side to keep it 0-0; the Dragões were arguably lucky to grab a point on Monday.
The biggest question heading into this clash will be if Sérgio Conceição has ironed them out.
This Sporting Base writer suspects it’s been enough time to clear away any issues — and maybe wipe away early tourney jitters — and that spells bad news for Messi’s Inter Miami, especially considering the MLS representatives similarly struggled to really find their stride in their Group A opener against Egypt’s Al Ahly over the weekend.
The biggest difference maker will, of course, be Messi: The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has the ability to turn any game on its head, even at 37 years old and with a majority MLS-level squad around him.
Evergreen stars like Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez could help here too.
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Ultimately, though, Inter Miami just doesn’t have the energy or the firepower to get around Porto in a head-to-head clash over 90 minutes. With Porto unlikely to come out so shaky again, Miami should eventually crumble long enough for the Portuguese representatives to grab a goal or two. At the other end of the park, they shouldn’t let in more than one.
We know this could well mean Messi, Suarez, and coach Javier Mascherano are denied a chance to progress, but at lengthy $501 odds on Betr, the MLS table-toppers were never really in the mix to make the bracket stage anyway.
- Our prediction: Inter Miami 1–2 Porto
- Goalscorer tip: Rodrigo Mora
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