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Inter Miami may find a trip away from home as suitable, after they struggled to register a first win in their newly occupied Nu Stadium, but a visit to Empower Field in Denver may be just what they need as they square off against Colorado Rapids on Saturday, April 18.
The Rapids have made an even start to this MLS campaign, leaving them in a playoff spot ahead of this round, which they will look to build upon, while the same can be said for the visitors, who have performed better away from home this season.
However, the travelling party have also been rocked by the departure of Javier Mascherano as their head coach, which means sporting director, Guillermo Hoyos, will take charge of the Herons at the weekend and for the foreseeable future.
After being knocked out of the Concacaf Champions Cup by Nashville and drawing two home games, it remains to be seen if the visitors can overcome this mini-slump.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for Colorado Rapids vs Inter Miami and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our free expert MLS predictions!
Contents
Colorado Rapids vs Inter Miami key stats
- Colorado Rapids are unbeaten at home in the MLS this season.
- The hosts conceded at least once in each of their last five league matches.
- Inter have the best offence in away matches, scoring nine goals in five such matches.
- The Herons are unbeaten in their last six MLS games in a row.
Colorado Rapids vs Inter Miami preview: Miami's stuttering to continue?
| Colorado Rapids | vs | Inter Miami |
|---|---|---|
| 6th | Position | 3rd |
| 12 | Points | 12 |
| 19 | Goals For | 13 |
| 12 | Goals Against | 12 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 3rd | Home Rank | 12th |
| 10th | Away Rank | 1st |
Since taking over from Chris Armas in December last year, former Tottenham assistant coach Matt Wells has done a decent job as the head coach of the home side, delivering four victories and three defeats in the league this term.
The Rapids thrive on playing in front of a packed house, and they will relish the opportunity to play in front of a possible record 70,000 crowd this weekend, hoping to keep their 100% home record intact.
Confidence should also be high in the camp after their US Open Cup victory against Union Omaha during the week, which means the home side will be aiming for their first-ever victory against the Herons.
Wells will have to take on the MLS Cup champions without the services of Reggie Cannon (ankle), Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), and Connor Ronan (leg), but Jackson Travis and Miguel Navarro will both return from serving red-card suspensions.
Miami will certainly look to their captain for inspiration, and he has been delivering so far, scoring five goals in his first six MLS games, but those numbers are way short of the benchmark that he set in the last two years.
One win in the last five matches does not make for good reading, but three victories from five MLS roadtrips offer some encouragement that Inter can surprise the hosts on Saturday night.
New signing German Berterame will be pleased that he is off the mark after scoring his first MLS goal for the Herons last weekend, and the visiting fans will hope that he can kick on from here.
Tadeo Allende is recovering from a hamstring strain and could miss out on the trip to Denver, but he will face a late fitness test, while Sergio Reguilon should be back in the swing of things now.
Colorado Rapids vs Inter Miami form guide & betting tips
| Colorado Rapids | vs | Inter Miami |
|---|---|---|
| W-L-W-L-W | League Form | W-D-W-D-D |
| 9 | Points | 9 |
| 10th | Form Table | 12th |
| 17 | Goals For | 9 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 7 |
| L-W-L-W-W | Form (all comps) | D-D-W-D-D |
Whispers predicts: Colorado Rapids 3-2 Inter Miami
Inter Miami have had an indifferent start to the new season, and with Mascherano departing during the week, their game plan could be out the window, which is why backing the hosts to win at 3.30 is enticing.
The Rapids have seen 71% of their MLS matches produce goals at both ends, while the visitors had the same, indicating that their could be goals for both teams on Saturday and at 1.40, it is more of a safe option.
The goal count is likely to exceed three in this fixture, as it did in their only head-to-head, making over 3.5 goals at 1.92 and interesting pick.
With Lionel Messi scored five in six so far, backing him to score is almost a guarantee at 1.59.
> 1x2 - Colorado Rapids at 3.30 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS - Yes at 1.40 | Likelihood: Very likely
> Over 3.5 goals at 1.92 | Likelihood: Very likely
> Anytime goalscorer - Lionel Messi at 1.59 | Likelihood: Very likely