Messi faces crisis-hit San Diego: Inter Miami vs San Diego prediction
The MLS regular-season match between Inter Miami and San Diego will take place on September 21 at Chase Stadium. The hosts sit second in the Eastern Conference, while the visitors are ninth in the West and head into the game on the back of three straight defeats.
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Inter Miami: a trophy amid an inconsistent MLS run
Manager Kily Gonzalez's side defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 during the week to win the Campeones Cup. Lionel Messi scored the winning goal and reached 100 goals for Inter Miami in the process.
Their MLS results have been less convincing: the team has dropped points in seven of its last eight matches. However, Inter Miami are unbeaten in their last three regular-season games at home and average 2.4 goals per match.
San Diego: three straight defeats and five goals conceded in their last match
Mikey Varas's team are sitting on the edge of the Western Conference playoff zone. Three consecutive defeats followed wins over Colorado and LA Galaxy.
The latest game against Philadelphia was particularly painful — a 0-5 defeat. San Diego have already conceded 42 goals this season and have won just two matches away from home.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Inter Miami average 2.4 goals per MLS match — the best figure in the league.
- San Diego have lost their last three league matches, including a 0-5 defeat to Philadelphia.
- This will be the first MLS meeting between Inter Miami and San Diego.
Messi gets the perfect opponent: Inter Miami vs San Diego prediction
San Diego make too many mistakes without the ball and are especially vulnerable defensively right now. Against Inter Miami's attack, such lapses could quickly lead to serious problems.
The hosts are also far from consistent in the league, but they look more convincing at home, while Messi is in good form. The difference in attacking quality should become clearly apparent.
