LA Galaxy vs Inter Miami

Inter Miami travel to the west coast to take on LA Galaxy following their 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake to bring in the 2024 MLS campaign.

Although Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi weren’t on the scoresheet, they still made their presence felt up front against RSL with both tallying one assist each. Miami looked shaky at times at the back, but they managed to keep a clean sheet and open the new season in style in front of their supporters at Chase Stadium.

While Miami already have one league fixture under their belt, the Galaxy will take the pitch for the first regular-season contest of 2024 come Sunday night. The likes of Gabriel Pec and Riqui Puig will be expected to step up to lead the Gs to glory this season, and that starts this weekend vs the Herons.

Here’s 90min’s preview of the Sunday night primetime clash.

*26 February 2024

LA Galaxy vs Inter Miami H2H record

This marks just the second meeting between the LA and Miami, with the Galaxy claiming a 3-2 triumph over the Herons on April 18, 2021.

Current Form (all competitions)

Messi and Jordi Alba played the full 90 Wednesday night, while Sergio Busquets and Suarez were both subbed off just before extra time. Alba, Messi and Suarez came away from the game unscathed, while Miami head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino revealed postgame that Busquets was still feeling the effects of a minor ankle injury suffered vs Vissel Kobe a few weeks ago.

Center-back Nicolas Freier, who’s on loan from Liga MX side Pumas, was unavailable for selection against Salt Lake and Martino explained that he’s still working up fitness to be able to take part in the team’s upcoming games.

Inter Miami predicted lineup vs LA Galaxy (4-3-3): Callender; Yedlin, Aviles, Kryvstov, Alba; Gressel, Busquets, Ruiz; Messi, Suarez, Gomez.

Earlier this week, the Galaxy confirmed the signing of Joseph Paintsil from Jupiler Pro League outfit Genk. He more than likely won’t feature against Miami as he’s just joined the club, but head coach Greg Vanney can still rely on Dejan Joveljic and Diego Fagundez up front for the time being.

Martin Caceres and Gaston Brugman look to have recovered from their respective long-term injuries, while USMNT defender Jalen Neal has picked up an abdominal injury and is a doubt for the game.

Club record-signing Gabriel Pec has yet to begin training with his new team and is therefore unavailable for selection.

LA Galaxy predicted lineup vs Inter Miami (4-3-3): McCarthy; Yamane, Yoshida, Zavaleta, Aude; Brugman, Delgado, Puig; Perez, Joveljic, Fagundez.

The Galaxy will be without two of their top signings this winter in Pec and Painstil, leaving them a little light up front with Fagundez having to shoulder the attacking load. The Gs are solid in midfield, though, but their defense also leaves a lot to be desired.

On the other hand, Miami looked dangerous up front and decent in the middle of the park, but they gave the ball away too many times for Martino’s liking. Should the Galaxy’s forwards have their shooting boots on, they could sneak in a couple of scrappy goals.

With Miami having one regular season game played and that little bit more chemistry together, they have the upper hand.

Prediction: LA Galaxy 1-3 Inter Miami