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First-placed Inter Miami travel to bottom-ranked New England Revolution on Sunday in the MLS' Eastern Conference.
The hosts have just one win to their name so far, while Miami sit two points clear at the top after winning five of their opening ten. Kick-off is set for 12:30am UK time at the Gillette Stadium.
Clint Peay's side have struggled for form at the start of the 2024 season. Their 1-0 home win over Charlotte FC earlier this month remains their only triumph after eight games, leaving them at the foot of the MLS' Eastern Conference. Six of these matches have also ended in defeat.
Their home form offers a glimmer of hope, with all four of their points coming from games at the Gillette Stadium so far. However, despite creating their fair share of chances with an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.64, New England have returned a paltry 0.75 goals in front of their home fans.
Fortunately, their defensive statistics make for slightly better reading. Peay's men have averaged just one goal conceded at home, compared to the 2.5 they've shipped in away fixtures so far. Only one of these games have ended in a clean sheet, though, as they prepare to welcome the MLS' highest-scoring team this weekend.
Gerardo Martino's star-studded outfit head into the game on the back of a four match unbeaten run, including two consecutive victories against Sporting Kansas City and Nashville SC.
It's little surprise to see an attacking comprising of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez return a healthy amount of goals; no side have bettered the 22 goals scored by Miami so far, at an average of 2.2 per game. This drops slightly to 1.75 in away matches, but Miami have failed to score in just one match on their travels.
However, they are also yet to keep a clean sheet on the road, and have averaged a worrying two goals conceded in away fixtures. Perhaps this is the cost of their open and expansive style, which banks on the likes of Messi and Suarez getting them out of trouble with their attacking exploits up top.
Miami stand as one of the most entertaining team in MLS; their games have averaged 3.7 goals in total so far. Though New England have been more resolute in home fixtures, it's hard to see them keeping out the away side for 90 minutes. Combined with the hosts' troubles in front of goal, a Miami win on the moneyline is the sensible pick here.