Preview: St Louis City vs. Inter Miami - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have won three of their last four outings, after losing to Los Angeles FC in midweek, while the visitors have taken just three points from their last five matches to sit bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Match preview

St Louis City failed to extend the gap between themselves and Los Angeles FC on Wednesday night, as Bradley Carnell's side lost 3-0 at the BMO Stadium, courtesy of strikes from Carlos Vela, Stipe Biuk and Jose Cifuentes.

That defeat halted St Louis' three-game winning streak, after enjoying consecutive victories over Toronto FC, Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes.

However, what Bradley Carnell has achieved as manager of this team in their inaugural campaign is nothing short of remarkable, as St Louis remain top of the Western Conference, two points clear of LAFC in second, after picking up 38 points from 22 matches, and winning seven of their 11 fixtures at home.

In their first Major League Soccer season, St Louis are unbeaten when scoring first, winning 10 of their 12 games this year when doing so, and they will be confident of extending that run here against an Inter Miami side that have only won once on the road so far this term.

Life under Gerardo Martino begins at Inter Miami this weekend, as the former Barcelona boss oversees his first game in charge of the Herons on Sunday.

Javier Morales' final game as interim coach, before reverting to his role as an assistant, summed up the Argentine's stint as manager - a draw against DC United and their third consecutive stalemate in as many games, meaning that Miami failed to win a game with Morales in charge.

Benjamin Cremaschi gave the Herons the lead just before the hour mark, before Taxiarchis Fountas swiftly replied for the hosts. Noah Allen then restored Miami's lead but Nigel Robertha came off the bench to deny the visitors their first MLS victory since a 2-1 triumph over New England Revolution on May 14.

Martino certainly faces an uphill battle to turnaround the Fort Lauderdale outfit - and he will be hoping that the imminent arrivals of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets can help with that - as Miami currently sit rock-bottom of the Eastern Conference on 18 points after 21 matches, with one away to their name all season.

St Louis City Major League Soccer form:

L

L

W

W

W

L

Inter Miami Major League Soccer form:

L

L

L

D

D

D

Inter Miami form (all competitions):

W

L

L

D

D

D

Team News

Eduard Lowen returned to the bench against Los Angeles FC after suffering a quad strain so he is in contention to start here, while Klauss and Joakim Nilsson both remain on the treatment table.

Jon Bell made his first start for St Louis last time out, and Carnell may be tempted to rotate his side once more after fielding his 20th different lineup in 22 MLS games against Los Angeles.

As for the visitors, Benjamin Cremaschi and Noah Allen scored their first MLS goals of their careers against DC United, and could be rewarded with starts here.

Josef Martinez is expected to lead the line for the Herons, while defensive duo DeAndre Yedlin and Kamal Miller could return to the side after being in action for their respective countries at the Gold Cup.

St Louis City possible starting lineup:

Burki; Nerwinski, Bartlett, Bell, Nelson; Blom, Ostrak, Stroud; Jackson; Gioacchini, Adeniran

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Callender; Fray, Kryvtsov, Allen; Cremaschi, Ruiz, Arroyo, Taylor; Pizarro; Campana, Martinez

We say: St Louis City 2-0 Inter Miami

As Inter have conceded 15 goals in their last seven league matches, their second away win of the MLS season is surely not on the agenda this weekend.

St Louis have won seven of their 11 games at home this season, and we expect them to be too strong for Miami here.

How to watch

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