As Inter Miami prepares to face Chicago Fire in a crucial Major League Soccer (MLS) clash, fans and analysts are eagerly predicting the outcome.
This article delves into the team news, form, and predictions for this exciting matchup.
Team News
Inter Miami
Inter Miami will be without their star player Lionel Messi, who is nursing an ankle injury from his stint with Argentina in the Copa America.
Additionally, Nicolas Freire and Facundo Farias are sidelined with ACL injuries.
However, the team will see the return of Sergio Busquets and Marcelo Weigandt from suspension, while Benjamin Cremaschi is away with the U.S. squad for the Paris Olympics.
Diego Gomez, who scored against Toronto, is expected to play a significant role.
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire has had its share of injury woes as well. Wyatt Omsberg missed the last match due to a minor knock, while Carlos Teran and Federico Navarro are dealing with leg injuries.
Andrew Gutman and Chase Gasper are out with hamstring strains. Xherdan Shaqiri has yet to rejoin the squad after his international duty with Switzerland.
A bright spot for the Fire is Fabian Herbers, who made his 100th start for the club in midweek.
Recent Form
Inter Miami
Inter Miami is in strong form, having secured points in six of their last seven league matches, with five of those being victories.
This performance has them at the top of the Eastern Conference with 50 points, a record for the club in a single MLS regular season.
The team has been particularly dominant at home, winning seven of their twelve domestic home games this season.
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire ended a two-match winless streak with a victory over FC Cincinnati, placing them back in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Despite scoring struggles throughout the season, the Fire have shown resilience, posting consecutive clean sheets for the first time this year.
They sit 13th in the East but are just within a victory of surpassing multiple teams above them.
Prediction
Given their current form and home advantage, Inter Miami is favoured to win this matchup.
Despite missing key players, their depth and recent performances suggest they can handle the Fire.
Chicago Fire, though resilient, has struggled away from home and may find it challenging to break Miami's stronghold at Chase Stadium.
Our Prediction: Inter Miami 2-1 Chicago Fire
Inter Miami 
Chicago Fire 
