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
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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 that 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.
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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 that 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.
Team News
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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 Martinez 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 out 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.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
