### Match Preview
**Inter Miami** return to their home turf at Chase Stadium after an exciting **4–2 victory over CF Montreal**, finally breaking a frustrating four-game winless streak. Despite some fitness concerns surrounding household names like **Lionel Messi**, **Jordi Alba**, and **Tomas Aviles**, Miami continues to showcase its prowess as one of the league’s most dangerous attacking teams on home soil.
#### Miami’s Form and Attack
The stats are telling—**Inter Miami have scored in seven of their eight home matches**, boasting only one clean sheet and failing to find the net in just one instance. Moreover, the trend of **over 2.5 goals** has surfaced in **six of the eight games**, with both teams scoring in five. Yet, the defensive side leaves much to be desired: they have conceded two or more goals in each of their last four matches. With an expected goals (xG) of **1.66** and expected goals against (xGA) of **1.54**, it’s clear that while Miami loves to attack, they often leave the backdoor wide open.
### Columbus Crew: Consistency in Chaos
On the other hand, **Columbus Crew** has been the picture of consistency this season, holding a **W7-D7-L2** record. Scoring **26 goals** while conceding **19**, they’ve managed three clean sheets and have only been shut out three times. Their solid xG metrics of **1.73** against an xGA of **1.35** portray a balanced side, performing well even on the road with a **W3-D3-L1** record.
#### High-Octane Matches
What makes this match particularly enticing is Columbus’s trend towards high-scoring matches—**both teams have found the net in nine of their last ten games**, with seven of those also seeing over 2.5 goals. Their attacking prowess marries nicely with Inter’s streaky defensive record, ensuring a thrilling spectacle is on the horizon.
### How the Bookies View It
The odds suggest a nail-biter, with **Inter Miami priced at 21/20** to clinch the win, labeling them as narrow favorites. **Columbus Crew** sits at **9/4**, embodying the underdog spirit, while a draw, listed at **3/1**, seems less favorable.
Betting markets lean towards a high-scoring contest, with **over 2.5 goals** favored at **8/15** and **both teams to score** priced at **4/9**, affirming the expectation that offense will reign supreme in this matchup.
### Head-to-Head Record
The rivalry boasts an intriguing backdrop, with **Inter Miami CF winning six** of the ten encounters, while Columbus has triumphed three times, with one match concluding in a draw. Both teams have scored a total of **15 goals each**, reflecting an entertaining average of **three goals per game**.
Recent history favors Miami, having won their last two encounters, including a **1–0 victory** in April 2025 and a thrilling **3–2 win** in October 2024. Yet, Columbus’s dominant **4–0 win** in October 2023 echoes a reminder that they cannot be underestimated.
### Predicted Line-Ups
**Inter Miami** is facing some injury setbacks, with goalkeeper **Drake Callender** expected to return in early July. Midfielders **David Ruiz**, **Baltasar Rodriguez**, **Yannick Bright**, and **Federico Redondo** are sidelined due to hamstring injuries, and defenders **Ryan Sailor** and **Allen Obando** aren’t slated to return until June. However, **Fafa Picault** might make a comeback, and **Lionel Messi** is anticipated to be fit for action.
**Predicted Line-Up for Inter Miami CF (4-3-3)**:
– Ustari; Lujan, Aviles, Falcon, Alba; Busquets, Redondo, Allende; Messi, Suarez, Segovia
For **Columbus Crew (4-2-3-1)**:
– Schulte; Moreira, Camacho, Cheberko, Sands; Nagbe, Morris; Matan, Rossi, Yeboah; Hernandez
### Key Players to Watch: The Messi Factor
**Lionel Messi** remains the focal point of Miami’s attack, leading the charge with **eight goals and three assists from 12 matches**. His performance at home has been even more impressive, with five goals and three assists in five appearances. Notably, Messi has recorded **a shot on target every 36 minutes**—which is nothing short of elite—and he continues to be a top contender in player-based betting markets.
Given Columbus’s shaky defensive metrics, with **5.5 xGA** in their last two matches, Messi being an integral part of the action to potentially score or assist seems like an intelligent bet.
### Insights and Trends
Across 15 MLS matches this season, **Inter Miami** has witnessed **six games featuring over 3.5 goals**, highlighting their tendency for high-scoring affairs. With an average of **5.42 goals per game** in their last seven matches, both Inter and their opponents have often capitalized on each other’s defensive missteps.
**Columbus Crew**, while slightly less explosive, showcases promising attacking metrics, as evidenced by their last 11 matches averaging **3.27 goals per game**, with both teams scoring in **10 of those 11 games**.
### Final Betting Tips for Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew
**Predictions**:
– **Messi Anytime Scorer**: 49/50 (UniBet)
– **Over 3.5 Goals**: 11/10 (Boylesports)
– **Both Teams to Score and NO Draw**: 20/21 (Boylesports)
As we dive into this captivating encounter, expect a match filled with flair, firepower, and, most importantly, goals. Grab your popcorn— **football fans won’t want to miss this one**!
