The race for the top heats up: prediction for Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew
The matchday 18 MLS clash between Inter Miami and Columbus Crew is set for August 2 at the Nu Stadium. The Herons have closed the gap to league leaders Nashville to just two points and are pushing hard for first place in the East, while the visitors are gradually narrowing the distance to the playoff zone.
Inter Miami: six wins in a row and Messi returns
A spring coaching change has sparked a remarkable transformation for the team. Since Guillermo Hoyos took over as interim head coach, Inter have lost just once in ten matches, racking up 25 points out of a possible 30—the best run in the league over this stretch.
Their only slip came on May 3 against Orlando City, when the Miami side squandered a 3-0 lead to lose 3-4. After that defeat, the team responded with six consecutive victories, and in the last round, they edged out Montreal thanks to a late penalty goal.
The return of Lionel Messi, who has already resumed training after the World Cup, will be a huge boost. While his spot in the starting lineup isn’t guaranteed just yet, Germán Berterame—who’s tallied 7 goals and 4 assists in 17 MLS matches—is ready to start from the opening whistle.
Columbus Crew: momentum after a coaching shake-up
Columbus have suffered just one defeat in their last five games. After parting ways with Henning Rydström, Laurent Courtois stepped in as interim boss and has guided the Crew to three wins in four outings.
First, they knocked out New York City in the US Open Cup, then followed it up with a league victory over Atlanta. After the break, Columbus fell to that same New York side, but quickly bounced back by beating Cincinnati and trimming the gap to eighth place to just three points.
André Gomes, back from injury, could be fit for this match. The experienced Portuguese midfielder played the second half against Cincinnati, though Dylan Chambost, after providing an assist, also has a strong case for a starting spot.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Inter Miami have won four of their last five meetings against Columbus.
- The visitors have never won in five MLS away games against Inter.
- Columbus have picked up just five points from eight away matches this season.
Home firepower should decide it: Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew prediction
Inter boast the league’s most prolific attack, with 43 goals in 17 rounds. They’ve scored in 13 straight games and almost always hit at least two goals at home, so the visiting defense faces a serious test.
Columbus have improved noticeably since the coaching change and should be good for a goal themselves, but almost all their success under Courtois has come at home. On the road, the Crew continue to struggle and trips to Miami have traditionally been tough for them.
