Inter Miami will head to the Midwest to play Sporting Kansas City, presumably with Lionel Messi coming off the bench. His involvement in the Herons’ CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Monterrey proved unfruitful, although the Argentinian did score an assist in the 3-1 loss. A full crowd is expected to await the star-studded visitors at Children’s Mercy Park, but a hero’s welcome may not be in store. Read on to access an MLS betting prediction and explore stats and tips for Inter Miami odds.
- Sporting Kansas City vs Inter Miami
- Major League Soccer
- April 13, 2024
- 8:30 PM EST
- MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas
Sporting KC vs Inter Miami Odds
Sporting KC is the favorite to get the win on their home field, with the club lined at (+125). Inter Miami bettors can enjoy a 2:1 payout if the Herons manage to win on the road, with a price as good as (+212) available at BetOnline. A draw is lined at (+271).
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Inter Miami Team Storyline in 2024
All the buzz surrounding this team is fueled by their recent acquisitions of global icons Lionel Messi, along with his companions Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez. Nevertheless, exercising caution regarding the club's long-term success is prudent.
Firstly, it's crucial to acknowledge the significant differences between the MLS season and those in Europe, South America, or other major leagues.The MLS season spans almost the entire calendar year, peaking during the hot summer months.
Aging, Injured Inter Miami Odds Too High?
It's also doubtful whether Messi and his teammates can not only overcome the upcoming challenges but also emerge victorious. The squad appears to be aging and lacking in motivation. By the time the playoffs arrive, Messi and Suarez will be 37, Busquets 36, and Alba 35. Most of the new Inter Miami recruits seem to have joined seeking a more relaxed environment with fewer games and the opportunity to enjoy the South Florida sunshine while still earning handsome salaries.
Messi and Busquets grappled with injuries last season and didn't feature frequently, even with their reduced schedule. Messi's reluctance to play on turf further complicates matters, as many MLS stadiums have such surfaces. Suarez, meanwhile, faces chronic knee issues, necessitating careful management of his playing time.
Inter Miami also had to make concessions to accommodate these new signings while adhering to MLS salary regulations. Trading Kamal Miller to Portland further weakens their already questionable defensive line, and reliable midfielder Gregore was sent back to Brazil. All in all, punters should not be running to the casinos with their pockets lined every time they see Inter Miami priced at such a good number. The devil is in the details.
Sporting KC History and Miami H2H
Saturday will commemorate 28 years since SKC's inaugural Major League Soccer game, which coincidentally occurred at Arrowhead Stadium, where they defeated the Colorado Rapids 3-0 on April 13, 1996. This weekend will also mark the first visit of an MLS club based in Miami to Kansas City since the Miami Fusion were defeated 3-1 by the Kansas City Wizards in a 2001 MLS playoff encounter.
Sporting has shown significant improvement in the attacking third, even in the absence of some veteran players in that position, scoring multiple goals in four consecutive domestic matches for the first time since August 2020. Out of their 12 goals in this competition, eight have been scored within the first 45 minutes of play. Last weekend, they netted three first-half goals.
Sporting KC vs Inter Miami Odds, Prediction and Free Betting Pick
The over only shaded at (-140) on the 2.5 market jumped out to me right away. Surmising that the total is low due to the absence of Messi, I think there is value presented to us. Firstly, Inter Miami prefers to play a high-paced, end-to-end game in which they dominate possession. Fortunately for them, the top teams in the MLS prefer to concede the ball in favor of counter-attacking opportunities, playing right into the Herons’ hands.
The reverse was in effect on Wednesday against Monterrey, a high-quality opponent accustomed to possession-based play in Liga MX. Miami’s lack of athleticism and defensive ground coverage, partly due to their average age, become more evident. Sporting KC is right in the middle of the pack in the MLS in possession percentage at 49.6%.
Some interesting statistics favor the over as well. There have been an average of four goals in Sporting’s home games this season, along with an average of 3.6 goals per game in Miami’s road trips. 16 goals for Miami also leads the MLS. These complement the aforementioned Sporting Kansas City attacking revolution, which leans in the early stages of matches.
I think on Saturday night we see a more typical Miami game headlined by scoring, but I am concerned about fatigue setting in late for Inter Miami as they play their second game on the road this week. Therefore, I will target the first half over for a half unit.
Odds are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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