Inter Miami are back in MLS action this Sunday at home against FC Dallas. Lionel Messi`s squad is aiming to continue its challenge for the Supporters` Shield. Currently sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference, the Herons hold two games in hand. A victory could propel them to second place, just a single point behind the leading Philadelphia Union. However, this fixture comes between the two legs of their Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal clash against Vancouver Whitecaps, a tie where Miami trails 2-0 after the first leg defeat in Canada.
Meanwhile, FC Dallas has had a modest start to the season. Their balanced record of three wins, three draws, and three losses places them 10th in the Western Conference, just outside the current playoff spots. Securing a positive outcome in South Florida could signal progress in their debut season under head coach Eric Quill.
Match Details: How to Watch and Odds
- Date: Sunday, April 27 | Time: 5 p.m. ET
- Location: Chase Stadium — Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Live stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
- Odds: Inter Miami -120; Draw +270; FC Dallas +290
Key Storylines Ahead of the Match
A major talking point before any Inter Miami game, especially this one, is the potential appearance of Lionel Messi. It`s widely believed that the midweek matches against Vancouver Whitecaps are more crucial for the Herons, particularly since Messi played the full 90 minutes on a turf surface during Thursday`s long road trip.
According to ESPN, both Messi and Luis Suarez were absent for the initial 15 minutes of Inter Miami`s training session on Saturday. Head coach Javier Mascherano mentioned that Messi was feeling fatigued after Thursday`s match. This suggests player rotation is probable for Sunday`s game, a shift from Mascherano`s recent strategy. Earlier this month, between the two legs of their CCC quarterfinal against LAFC, Mascherano opted for a full-strength squad in an attempt to move past their first-leg defeat. While that particular MLS game resulted in a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC, the subsequent 3-1 victory over LAFC in the return CCC leg ultimately validated his earlier team selections.
Match Prediction
Even if this match proves more challenging than usual for Miami, the squad has shown it can perform effectively even without Messi and Suarez. The game might not be spectacular, but they are likely to secure a win against a mid-table Dallas side that appears to be in the early phases under their new head coach.
Prediction: Inter Miami 1, FC Dallas 0
