Inter Miami return to MLS action on Sunday, unbeaten in their previous four matches in all competitions when they head to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a date with Atlanta United.
The Five Stripes went into the international break without a victory in three consecutive league contests, while Miami are just a point back of Charlotte FC for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Match preview
© Reuters
Over in Atlanta, losing players has equalled losing games, and Gonzalo Pineda's men have dropped more contests (five) than many of us expected at this stage of the season.
With 13 matches in 2022, they are only three points better than they were at this exact point last year, when there was unrest within the group, leading to the dismissal of Gabriel Heinze.
So far this year the backline has been fragile, with numerous key players on the injured list, resulting in this team looking quite susceptible defensively.
They have continuously spotted their opponents an early goal, conceding six within the opening half-hour in five of their last six MLS affairs.
A 2-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew at the end of May ended a run of 13 straight domestic games without a loss for them at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Opposing sides have found tremendous success against Atlanta by sitting deep, waiting to snipe goals off them when they make defensive errors, which the Five Stripes have done a lot of this year.
© Reuters
Through the early portion of the season, the Herons did not look like a team ready to improve from a disappointing 2021 campaign.
Recently, Phil Neville called his side a playoff team, which was difficult to fathom before their current run when they lacked consistency and poise.
Their good form of late may justify his sentiments, but statistics do not, as they are the third-worst team in terms of expected goal differential.
Three of their next four games will be on the road, which should give us a better gauge of how good they really are, as Miami have not played an away match since May 18.
The Herons have struggled in the final third away from home, going goalless in three consecutive road fixtures, scoring no more than once each time.
Some solid positional play and finding a way to strike first has changed their fortunes, with Miami scoring the opener in three of their last four MLS games, while that other match ended in a 0-0 draw versus the Philadelphia Union.
- L
- L
- W
- D
- D
- L
- W
- L
- D
- D
- L
- W
- L
- L
- D
- D
- W
- W
- W
- D
- D
- W
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Dom Dwyer moved into a tie for second in goals for Atlanta this year alongside Thiago Almada though his tally in injury time versus the Columbus Crew was far too late.
The list of injuries for the Five Stripes includes Dylan Castanheira (Achilles), Machop Chol (leg), Osvaldo Alonso (ACL), Brad Guzan (Achilles), Miles Robinson (Achilles), Andrew Gutman (quad), Santiago Sosa (abductor) and Caleb Wiley (lower body).
They did get some good news in their loss to the Crew as Josef Martinez returned to the field, replacing Matheus Rossetto in the second half, while Thiago Almada will not be available for this match following his red card in their last encounter.
Numerous Miami players could be out of the lineup this weekend due to undisclosed injuries, including Ian Fray, Joevin Jones, Nick Marsman, Victor Ulloa and Edison Azcona.
Leonardo Campana continues to find the back of the net, firing home his team-leading seventh of the campaign in their victory over the Portland Timbers (2-1).
Substitute Robert Taylor notched the winner in that encounter, and Christopher McVey assisted on the opening goal, his first of the year.
Neville made numerous changes to his starting 11 against the Timbers from the side who started in their U.S. Open Cup defeat to Orlando City on penalties, as DeAndre Yedlin, Ryan Sailor, Robbie Robinson, Bryce Duke, Ariel Lassiter and Campana all drew into the lineup.
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Shuttleworth; Hernandez, Franco, DeJohn, Lennon; Hyndman, Ibarra; Araujo, Sejdic, Moreno; Martinez
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; Yedlin, Lowe, Sailor, McVey; Gregore, Mota; Taylor, Duke, Lassiter; Campana
We say: Atlanta United 2-0 Inter Miami
Momentum would suggest that Inter Miami should win this one. However, we are going with the Five Stripes because of their solid play at home, combined with how passive the Herons have been on the road.
Josef Martinez looked good returning from injury in their previous encounter, and if he is healthy, that is a big part of their offence, which should lift their spirits tremendously.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
