Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Inter Miamivs.Charlotte FC

sportsmole.co.uk, 26 September 2024, 22:27
Inter Miami will be looking to move one step closer to clinching a first-ever Eastern Conference title when they play host to Charlotte FC at the Chase Stadium on Saturday.

The Crown picked up a huge result in their push for post-season football last time out and will head into the weekend looking to end their run of three consecutive defeats away from home.

Match preview

It was two more dropped points for Inter Miami in their pursuit of the Eastern Conference title as they were held to a 1-1 draw by New York City when the two sides squared off at the Yankee Stadium last Saturday.

With Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez uncharacteristically quiet, 24-year-old Leonardo Campana put the visitors ahead in the 75th minute but James Sand rose highest to head home the equaliser from a corner kick in the 95th minute to force a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, Inter Miami's five-game winning streak in the league came to an end as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Atlanta United on September 19, when the Five Stripes fought back from behind twice at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium courtesy of goals from Saba Lobjanidze and Aleksei Miranchuk.

Despite their recent drop-off in form, Gerardo Martino's men remain on course to clinch the 2024 Supporters' Shield and finish as champions in the East, where they lead the way at the top of the standings with a healthy eight-point lead over second-placed FC Cincinnati heading into the final four games of the regular season.

Not only do Inter Miami have their sights on clinching their maiden league title, but their 64 points from 30 games means they need 10 points from their final 12 to break the MLS regular season point record set by New England Revolution (73) back in 2021.

Charlotte FC, on the other hand, got their quest for a playoff spot back on track as they thrashed 10-man New England Revolution 4-0 at the Bank of America Stadium last Saturday.

In a game where Dylan Borrero received his marching orders, Liel Abada struck in the 39th minute to put the hosts in the driver's seat before Pep Biel, Patrick Agyemang and Kerwin Calderon Vargas scored second-half goals to cap off an impressive team display.

Having failed to win any of their previous six league games — claiming just three points from a possible 18 — head coach Dean Smith will hope last weekend's result over the Revs can serve as a catalyst for a strong end to the regular season.

The Crown have picked up 41 points from 30 games to sit sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, level on points with seventh-placed New York City FC in the final automatic playoff spot and six above 10th-placed Montreal outside the play-in places.

While Charlotte will be looking to continue from where they left off last time out, they will need their A-game at the Chase Stadium as they have failed to win six of their previous eight meetings with Inter Miami, losing five and claiming one draw since February 2022.

Inter Miami Major League Soccer form:

W

W

W

W

D

D

Inter Miami form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

D

D

Charlotte FC Major League Soccer form:

D

D

L

L

L

W

Charlotte FC form (all competitions):

W

D

L

L

L

W

Team News

Inter Miami will take to the pitch without several key players down the spine of the team as Sergiy Kryvtsov (knee), Nicolas Freire (ACL) and Facundo Farias (ACL) continue their spells on the sidelines.

Matias Rojas is ruled out through an ankle injury while the Paraguayan duo of Diego Gomez and 26-year-old Diego Martnez have missed the last two matches after both coming off injured against Philadelphia Union on September 15.

Brazilian forward Leonardo Afonso has been out of action since suffering a groin injury back in August, while Jordi Alba and 20-year-old Noah Allen are suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with their booking against New York City.

As for Charlotte, Smith will be unable to call upon the services of Serbian midfielder Nikola Petkovic, who is set to sit out his third consecutive league game through a knee injury.

He is joined on the Crown's injury table by American defender Jahlane Forbes, who has been out of action since mid August after sustaining a hip problem.

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Callender; Fray, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Negri; Gressel, Bright, Redondo; Messi, Suarez, Taylor

Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:

Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Ream; Westwood, Bronico; Biel, Urso, Abada; Swiderski

We say: Inter Miami 3-1 Charlotte FC

With their sights set on setting a new MLS regular season point record and clinching their first conference title, we expect Inter Miami to go all pot on a Saturday as they look to return to winning ways.

Charlotte have struggled to get going on their travels and we are backing Martino's men to come away with all three points in front of their home supporters.

Previews by email

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with Los Blancos considering making an attempt to bring the Brazilian back to Bernabeu in January. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola deciding to extend his stay at Manchester City could be good news for them in more than one sense. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo admitted there will be one key challenge to his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, becoming a professional footballer. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea's starting goalkeeper - he's too good to be Liverpool's back-up. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without up to seven players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marco Silva will be working with almost a fully-fit squad when his Fulham side play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Al Ettifaq chiefs admitted they were left in shock when Jordan Henderson told them he wanted to leave just months into joining the Saudi Pro League club. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia will play their first game since the devastating DANA storm struck the region when they welcome Real Betis to Mestalla for Saturday's La Liga contest. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides that were glad to see international football intervene will return from a much-needed break on Saturday, as Aston Villa and Crystal Palace meet at Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Johnstone host Kilmarnock this weekend at McDiarmid Park, in a clash between two struggling Scottish Premiership sides. 21 November 2024 talksport.com It would take a lot to humiliate Cole Palmer on a football pitch, but he's revealed what would need to happen to do so. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Iago Aspas is once again expected to start, as Celta Vigo continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a contest against division leaders Barcelona on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are set to again be without the services of a number of important players for Saturday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo, including Lamine Yamal, with the Spaniard not yet recovering from an ankle problem. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams at opposite ends of the League One table meet on Saturday, as Burton Albion host Stockport County at the Pirelli Stadium. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube video with Mr Beast hit one million views in just 30 minutes. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town and Southampton are all reportedly interested in signing Vasco da Gama youngster Rayan. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga leaders Barcelona will be bidding to bounce back from a surprise defeat before the November international break when they resume their league campaign away to Celta Vigo on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal need a figure up front like Alexander Isak to replace Kai Havertz. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim will take charge of his first game as Manchester United manager this weekend as his side take on Ipswich. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of PSV Eindhoven attacker Ricardo Pepi ahead of the January transfer window. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will be fit to start when the Bees travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portsmouth return from the international break with a trip to Ewood Park for Saturday's Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool and Newcastle United are reportedly set to battle for the signature of Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly leading Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester United are three days away from seeing Ruben Amorim make his touchline debut for the club. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be aiming to maintain their place at the top of the Premier League table this weekend when they travel to face Southampton. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will reportedly step up their efforts to tie one of their star players down to a new contract after persuading manager Pep Guardiola to stay at the club. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Neymar has admitted he contemplated retirement as he opened up on his injury hell.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon