Preview: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami - prediction, team news, lineups

Both teams will be looking to return to winning ways as soon as possible having failed to come out on top in their respective most recent encounters.

Match preview

Charlotte were denied a third consecutive victory as they played out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate against Inter Miami at DRV PNK Stadium on Thursday.

Christian Lattanzio's men led 1-0 and 2-1 through goals from Enzo Copetti and Kerwin Vargas but were pegged back on either occasion by Nicolas Stefanelli and Robbie Robinson.

Consequently, the Crown have moved up to 12th in the Eastern Conference of the MLS table and remain in contention for a place in the preliminary round of the playoffs.

Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have only been beaten in one of the previous five meetings between the teams.

Undefeated in 11 straight home matches leading up to Saturday's contest, the hosts will be confident of getting a result in what is arguably their most important game of the regular season.

Inter Miami showed great resolve not to come away empty-handed from their game against Charlotte in a 2-2 draw when the teams faced off on Thursday.

Gerardo Martino's men fell behind to Enzo Copetti's opener before restoring parity through Nicolas Stefanelli, but they once again trailed to Kerwin Vargas's, strike which was eventually cancelled out by Robbie Robinson's late effort.

With 34 points from 33 matches so far, the Herons sit bottom but one in the Eastern Conference standings and are guaranteed to end the regular season there.

Having let in 10 goals across their last three away outings, Saturday's visitors will need to be defensively solid to stand any chance of securing a positive result.

Charlotte FC Major League Soccer form:

D

L

L

W

W

D

Inter Miami Major League Soccer form:

W

D

D

L

L

D

Inter Miami form (all competitions):

D

L

D

L

L

D

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Team News

Lionel Messi is not expected to play any part for Inter Miami as the Argentine is currently on international duty at the ongoing World Cup qualifiers.

Corentin Jean is also unavailable for the away side due to a knee problem, while Franco Negri remains sidelined since June due to a long-term injury.

Robin Robinson found the back of the net on his return to action and that could see the forward rewarded with a place in the starting lineup.

Charlotte's Brandt Bronico picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Charlotte which would see him incur a one-match suspension.

Twenty-six-year-old Karol Swiderski has scored five times in his last six matches for club and country, making him one to keep an eye on here.

Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:

Kahlina; Byrne, Privett, Malanda, Lindsey; Westwood, Arfield; Jozwiak, Dejaegere, Calderon; Copetti

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Callender; Yedlin, Aviles, Miller, Allen; Gregore, Busquets, Gomez; Farias, Campana, Stefanelli

We say: Charlotte FC 2-1 Inter Miami

Charlotte have everything to play for heading into this one, and they will need no further motivation to turn on the style. We fancy the home side to get the job done, albeit by only a narrow margin.

How to watch

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