Inter Miami vs Orlando City prediction, odds, expert soccer betting tips and best bets for Lionel Messi in MLS
Lionel Messi returns home for an in-state rivalry match on Saturday afternoon as Inter Miami welcomes Orlando City to Chase Stadium in MLS play.
Having rescued Inter Miami once again with his late-game heroics against the LA Galaxy last weekend, Messi will get his first league dose of the Florida rivalry. The Argentine star helped down Orlando City with a brace as part of his triumphant Leagues Cup run last year but missed the ensuing MLS meeting in central Florida as injury issues caught up to the 36-year-old.
Inter Miami has largely looked shaky to start the 2024 season but has managed to escape both their first two matches of the campaign unscathed, with a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake and a 1-1 draw with LA Galaxy securing four points thus far.
Orlando City slumped to a disappointing scoreless draw against CF Montreal in their 2024 league opener, but scored six goals against Canadian side Cavalry across two legs sandwiching that first MLS match to advance in continental play.
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Inter Miami vs Orlando City prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Orlando City (+340)
- Score prediction: Inter Miami 1-2 Orlando City
This is the match where Inter Miami’s transitional struggles come back to haunt them. Orlando City have a potent attacking squad, and can run with Inter Miami if they wish. MLS clubs involved in early CONCACAF Champions Cup fixtures have struggled in league play to begin the year, but Orlando City have the tools to take advantage of Inter Miami’s weaknesses.
Inter Miami looked a sloppy mess in both their first two matches so far, only saved in their opener by RSL’s even deeper struggles and by a bogus late red card against the Galaxy last weekend. They have been extremely porous against pacey counter-attacks, of which Facundo Torres should lead plenty. Luis Suarez looks to be hampered by his knee issues, and Orlando City should finally put Inter Miami to the proverbial sword which both their previous opponents failed to do.
| DraftKings (USA) |
|
| Inter Miami win | -150 |
| Draw | +310 |
| Orlando City win | +340 |
| Both teams to score Y/N |
-170 / +135 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
-155 / +115 |
| Inter Miami -0.5 goals |
-145 |
| Orlando City +0.5 goals |
+120 |
Lionel Messi odds to score for Inter Miami vs Orlando City
Lionel Messi spots approximately even-money odds to score for Inter Miami against Orlando City at home. It would be his first home goal of the season, after opening his 2024 account on the road last time out against the LA Galaxy.
Messi is also the favorite to win MLS Top Goalscorer in 2024, sporting +300 odds to finish atop the table.
Inter Miami vs Orlando City match facts
- Date: Saturday, Mar. 2, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT
- Location: Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
- Last meeting: Orlando City 1-1 Inter Miami (Sep. 24, 2023 | MLS)
Inter Miami vs Orlando City: best bet
- Pick: Over 3.0 total goals
- Odds: -110 (DraftKings)
While Inter Miami’s first two matches of the season have been lower-scoring on first glance, there’s a few largely unsustainable reasons for that. First, goalkeeper Drake Callender has been in fine form, but shouldering a heavy load on the goalkeeper is a risky prospect as St. Louis City SC found out in last year’s playoffs.
Additionally, both Inter Miami and their opponents have been a difficult combination of unlucky and wasteful in the attacking third. Luis Suarez looks hobbled by his knee injury, but has a full week’s rest to recuperate for this match. Tata Martino could potentially look to deploy Diego Gomez in a more advanced role to make use of his attacking acumen.
These two teams have a history of playing high-scoring matches, with a combined 15 goals between the last four meetings.
Inter Miami vs Orlando City goal scorer bet
- Pick: Duncan McGuire anytime goal scorer
- Odds: +260 (DraftKings)
- Pick: Facundo Torres to score or assist a goal
- Odds: +145 (FanDuel)
This game is set up perfectly for Orlando City’s stars to shine. Against the LA Galaxy, Inter Miami were torn apart by right winger Joseph Paintsil who was vicious on the counter and did well both cutting inside and feeding balls in from out wide. Orlando City will have Facundo Torres on the wing, and regardless of which side he lines up on, he will be a force. It’s likely Torres will be up against the rapidly aging DeAndre Yedlin, which is a prime mismatch.
That will play right into Duncan McGuire’s best attributes, as the Orlando City striker — who isn’t even supposed to be here after his transfer to Blackburn painfully fell through on a last-minute paperwork error — will profit greatly, as he did in scoring against Inter Miami in their last meeting back in September. LA Galaxy No. 9 Dejan Joveljic got his side’s only goal against Inter Miami on the counter, while Inter Miami were only able to keep RSL off the scoresheet thanks to the wastefulness of Cristian Arango.
Torres got two goals against Cavalry in their CONCACAF Champions Cup opener, and McGuire scored in that game as well. The two were kept quiet against CF Montreal on short rest, but they both managed to get significant rest in this week’s return leg and will be fresh for this match. The two should be heavily involved in the Orlando City buildup.
Inter Miami vs Orlando City live stream, TV channel
Every match of the 2024 MLS season is available across the entire year only on MLS Season Pass from Apple TV.
This Inter Miami vs. Orlando City match is part of this weekend’s selection of games available for free on MLS Season Pass, for anyone to view without needing a subscription. Apple TV makes up to six matches each week available for free, while the rest require an MLS Season Pass subscription to access.
Additionally, this match has been selected for television broadcast in the United States on FOX, with a Spanish-language broadcast also available via FOX Deportes. Both channels are available to stream in the U.S. on Fubo.
