Philadelphia vs Inter Miami Prediction: Soaring with Messi (Watch the exclusive training video of Lionel Messi and his teammates gearing up for the semifinals right below the article.)
The stage is set for the highly anticipated Philadelphia vs Inter Miami football showdown, slated for Wednesday, August 16th in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup 2023 semifinal. In this comprehensive preview, Bongdaplus dissects the team news, expected line-ups, bookmaker odds, and provides an insightful score prediction.
Form Analysis of Philadelphia vs Inter Miami
Two heavyweight contenders for the coveted CONCACAF Leagues Cup 2023 championship are set to lock horns in the semifinals, with both teams showcasing stellar form in the tournament thus far.
The home team, Philadelphia, has clinched victory in 3 out of 5 matches in the competition and held the other 2 to draws (emerging triumphant in penalty shootouts afterward). Throughout the tournament, they have displayed a potent offense, finding the back of the net 11 times while conceding a mere 4 goals. On the other side, Inter Miami has been riding high since the addition of the football sensation, Lionel Messi, to their ranks. They have secured victory in 4 out of 5 matches and settled for a draw in 1. Under the guidance of David Beckham, the team has impressively amassed a total of 17 goals while conceding 6 in 5 matches.
Philadelphia Union holds the recent victory, defeating Inter Miami with a convincing 4-1 scoreline. However, it’s evident that Inter Miami has undergone significant transformation, bolstered by the experience of players like Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. As such, the “Messi effect” is poised to provide a crucial advantage, potentially propelling Inter Miami to conquer the home team and clinch a spot in the grand final.
Latest Team News for Philadelphia vs Inter Miami
In their journey to the semifinals, Philadelphia has heavily relied on the prowess of key players, particularly Daniel Gazdag, who has netted 4 goals in the last 2 matches and consistently records 3.5 shots on target per game. Another shining star for the home team is Julian Carranza, having contributed 2 goals to their campaign in this competition.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami’s story has taken on the semblance of a miracle, largely attributed to the presence of Messi, Busquets, and Alba. Prior to this tournament, Inter Miami endured a six-match winless streak (3 losses, 3 draws), languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference in the MLS.
In their quest to overcome the home team, Inter Miami places unwavering trust in the abilities of Messi, Robert Taylor, and Josef Martinez – key players who have collectively contributed at least 4 goals to Beckham’s squad in this year’s competition.
Expected Line-ups for Philadelphia vs Inter Miami
Philadelphia (3-1-4-2): Blake; Glesnes, Elliott, Lowe; Jose Martinez; Mbaïzo, Bueno, McGlynn, Wagner; Carranza, Uhre. Inter Miami (4-3-3): Callender; Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Miller, Jordi Alba; Arroyo, Busquets, Cremaschi; Messi, Jossef Martinez, Taylor.
Both Teams to Score: In 6 out of the last 9 encounters between the two teams, each side scored at least 1 goal. Additionally, 5 out of the last 6 matches for Philadelphia and 8 out of the last 11 for Inter Miami ended without a clean sheet.
Messi to Score or Assist: Messi’s transformative impact on Inter Miami is undeniable. After 5 matches in Leagues Cup 2023, the Argentine superstar has netted 8 goals and contributed significantly to the overall team performance. According to Betfair, the odds for Messi to score or assist are remarkably favorable, with odds at 1.72.
Philadelphia to Open the Scoring: In the most recent 6 out of 9 encounters, Philadelphia has been the first to strike. A similar scenario has unfolded in 5 out of the last 7 matches for Philadelphia. All indications suggest that this match is unlikely to deviate from the norm.
Football Expert Predictions for Philadelphia vs Inter Miami
Raphael George, an esteemed expert from Telecom Asia, aptly describes Lionel Messi as a regal figure wielding a magic wand, leading Inter Miami to victories wherever they go. It is highly probable that King Leo, as Messi is fondly known, will continue to guide his team to overcome their formidable opponent in this competition, Philadelphia, even on the opponent’s own turf.
This marks the first time the two teams have faced off in a tournament outside of MLS. In their previous 8 encounters in MLS, Philadelphia has asserted dominance with 4 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses. However, it’s worth noting that one of those losses transpired at their home ground, Subaru Park. Consequently, it’s highly likely that this encounter will witness Philadelphia’s second home defeat at the hands of Inter Miami.
