Inter Miami and Lionel Messi host Atlanta United and Thiago Almada in the 2023 Leagues Cup group stage on July 25 at DRV PINK Stadium.
Although both teams haven't had the best form in Major League Soccer, form goes out of the window in tournaments - and both sides have top-tier playmakers in the form of Messi and Almada, who were both part of the 2022 World Cup winning squad for Argentina.
The two Eastern Conference clubs last met on May 6, with Miami coming away with a 2-1 victory. The scoreline is a little misleading, as Atlanta didn't pull one back until the 92nd minute with a strike from Andrew Gutman, who has since been traded to the Colorado Rapids.
Josef Martinez scored twice against his old club at which he made his name in MLS, and he appears to have already formed a solid partnership with Messi, linking up around the edge of the area nicely as well as playing some nice one-twos in their 2-1 triumph against Cruz Azul.
In 10 games played between the sides, Miami has a slight advantage, winning four games to Atlanta's three, with both teams drawing three times as well. With the way both teams want to play, the next installment of Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United promises to be full of excitement and entertainment for fans and viewers tuning in.
Where to watch Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United on TV/live stream?
When is kick-off? 7:30 PM EST
Where is the game being played? DRV PINK Stadium
TV channel/live stream? MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
What time does TV coverage start? 7:00 PM EST
Inter Miami team news
In terms of injuries, Miami's situation has not improved as full-back Ian Fray suffered what appears to be another long-term injury in the game against Cruz Azul. Unfortunately, it's the third long-term knee injury for the 24-year-old in three years.
"Let me dedicate this victory to Ian Fray, who was suffering in the locker room from the injury he sustained. He comes (back) from two serious injuries and today he has the bad luck to go through an injury again," Messi said after the game regarding Fray's injury.
Although Fray is typically deployed as a center-back, Miami's injury situation at the position meant he had to take up full-back responsibilities as Franco Negri has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2023 season. Christopher McVey, DeAndre Yedlin, and Jordi Alba (when he gets up to fitness) will share full-back duties under head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.
Busquets coming in the picture for the Herons is a game-changer, as Gregore is still sidelined with a foot injury and Jean Mota is on track to recover from a LCL injury in November. Alongside Busquets, Miami has Dixon Arroyo, David Ruiz, and Benjamin Cremaschi to rely on in the midfield.
Martino stated in a pre-game press conference that Messi will now become club captain, and that the 36-year-old and Busquets are in line for more minutes against Atlanta.
"It is very likely that both Messi and Busi [Busquets] will play longer, even from the beginning. Everything will depend on how they feel. It's just their second game," Martino said.
Atlanta United team news
The Five Stripes have listed only one player as unavailable for the southern clash, with forward Machop Chop missing out with an ankle injury. That means that forward Giorgos Giakoumakis could be in line to start for Atlanta, which would be huge as he's scored 10 goals in MLS this season.
As mentioned previously, Atlanta United have their own playmaker in the form of the young Thiago Almada. The 22-year-old has been in MLS MVP candidate form this campaign, and will hope to continue that form against the Herons.
Atlanta's last outing was a 2-1 home defeat to rivals Orlando City, as they took the lead in the first half only to concede right after scoring the opening goal - which is their 2023 season in a nutshell as they score plenty of goals but have conceded among the most in MLS.
The versatile Caleb Wiley, who can play full-back, wing-back or left or right-wing, will more than likely be tasked with defending Messi alongside his fellow center-backs. It will be a matchup to watch, as Wiley has impressed in defense against the top attackers in the league, but going up against the greatest player in history is a test like none other.
Inter Miami vs Atlanta United score prediction
Martino will be hoping that Messi will be able recreate his magic from his stunning free-kick in stoppage time against Cruz Azul. Both Busquets and Messi looked comfortable after they were substituted on just after halftime, and they're poised to cause more havoc if they feature in the starting 11.
Atlanta has plenty of attacking might as well, but playing on the road in a loud DRV Pink Stadium coupled with their leaky defense sounds like they may concede two or three goals on the night. But Atlanta will probably keep the game close with Almada and Giakoumakis.
Prediction: Inter Miami 3-2 Atlanta United
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This article was originally published on 90min as Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United - Leagues Cup preview: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction.