New York Red Bulls vs Inter Miami: Betting Odds & Prediction
(Featured image: Alamy Images)
New York Red Bulls and Inter Miami clash in an intriguing MLS encounter at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday.
Both sides head into the match on the back of contrasting domesic results. Kick-off is set for 6pm UK time.
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New York Red Bulls
New York succumbed to a 3-0 away defeat to second-placed Columbus Crew. The result leaves Red Bulls in sixth, three points off Inter Miami at the top of the MLS' Eastern Conference. The home side have maintained satisfactory form throughout March though, recording two consecutive 2-1 wins over Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas before the defeat last weekend.
They have won 50% of their matches so far this campaign, averaging 1.75 points per game, and their sole home match ended in the victory over Dallas earlier this month. Red Bulls recorded an expected goal (xG) tally of 1.89 in the Dallas win, while maintaining an expected goal against (xGA) tally of 0.98.
Sandro Schwarz’s side have averaged 1.25 goals conceded per game thus far compared to one goal scored, a stat which may leave their fans fearing the worst ahead of facing the predatory instincts of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Lucho es Lucho 😉9⃣
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 18, 2024
Suárez voted the MLS Player of the Matchday for Matchday 5, after scoring a brace to lead the team to a valuable victory at D.C. United!
Details: https://t.co/nqxn0qkHdu pic.twitter.com/Joa7RYCrJU
Inter Miami
Inter Miami have maintained impressive form throughout their MLS campaign thus far. They have emerged victorious in three out of their opening five league matches and find themselves leading the Eastern Conference after five matches played.
Their last outing was a routine 3-1 triumph at DC United, with the prolific Luis Suarez bagging a brace. The Uruguayan has bagged four goals and five assists in his opening five games for Miami so far.
Despite averaging an impressive xG of 1.55 on their travels so far, their average xGA of 2.04 will likely cause discomfort amongst the Miami supporters, but they do boast a healthy 50%-win rate on the road this campaign and they have scored 13 times, averaging 2.60 goals per match.
Miami take an average of eleven shots a match away from home with a 18% conversion rate, and their star-studded forwards have maintained a perfect record of scoring in every game they have played this campaign.
Prediction
The match is a tough one to call; the Red Bulls impressed in their sole home outing but have appeared vulnerable at the back. Miami meanwhile enter having found the net in every match so far and are buoyed by Champions League winners Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.
While the result may be up in the air, this game should deliver one thing; goals. Both have been far from convincing defensively so far this season, while the away side's forward line will prove a handful for any defence across the course of the campaign.