Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
One of the third-round group stage clashes will take place on Monday night at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where Inter Miami will face Palmeiras. I'm offering a bet on the outcome of this encounter with solid chances for success.
Match preview
Javier Mascherano's side has been a pleasant surprise for their fans in this edition of the Club World Cup. The win over Porto in the second round was Inter Miami's first victory in their last four international matches and injected new confidence into the players and supporters alike. However, there's an obvious issue—the Pink side's defense still falters at times, and clean sheets remain a rarity.
Now, a draw is enough for Inter Miami to comfortably progress to the playoffs—but with Messi and Suárez leading the attack, no one expects them to sit back in defense. It's worth noting that the team rarely leaves the pitch without scoring and can step up when it matters most, as they did against Porto. It's only logical to expect open, attacking football from the Americans once again.
Brazilian side Palmeiras, meanwhile, defeated Al-Ahly with composure, scoring both goals after the break. Abel Ferreira's men have built a rock-solid defense: the team has kept clean sheets in five consecutive international games. This defensive discipline, combined with a potent attack, makes Palmeiras the group favorites.
Still, the Greens are facing a tough test ahead—against Miami's attacking machine. But Palmeiras have long proven they can grind out the result they need even in the toughest matches. A draw would suit the Brazilians as well, but their squad quality allows them to dictate the pace.
Probable lineups
- Inter Miami: Oscar Ustari; Marcelo Weigandt, Maximiliano Falcón, Ian Fray, Noah Allen; Benja Cremaschi, Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Tadeo Allende.
- Palmeiras: Weverton; Agustín Giaich, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo; Raphael Veiga, Richard Ríos, Aníbal Moreno, Joaquín Piquerez; Estevão, Vitor Roque, Facundo Torres.
Match facts and head-to-head
- This will be the first-ever meeting between these two teams
- Inter Miami are unbeaten in 7 of their last 10 international matches in regulation time
- Palmeiras have kept a clean sheet in five consecutive international games
Prediction
All things considered, both teams might approach this game pragmatically, but their attacking firepower and consistent chance creation promise goals—especially with heavyweights like Messi and Suárez on the pitch. Palmeiras also won't miss their opportunity to score. With both sides content with a draw, my suggestion here is to back 'Inter Miami double chance' at odds of 1.68.
