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Columbus Crew are running out of time to make a play for the MLS playoff positions, as they currently occupy 13th place in the Eastern Conference, highlighting the desperate need for them to win this clash with third-placed Inter Miami on Sunday, September 28, at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
The hosts are coming off a pair of victories in all competitions, and a win at home this weekend would give them their longest domestic triumphant run of the season, but that is easier said than done against the current MLS Cup champions.
Inter Miami made it four trophies in as many years with their recent Campeones Cup triumph against Cruz Azul, but they are slipping behind in the league and are at risk of dropping out of the home advantage spots for the playoffs.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Columbus Crew vs Inter Miami key stats
- Columbus Crew won three of their last five games in all competitions.
- The hosts lost more home games than they won this season, at six to five.
- Inter Miami boast the conference's best away record with eight wins in 13 matches, losing just twice.
- The Herons conceded at least once in each of their last nine MLS matches in a row.
Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami preview: Keeping away form intact
Columbus Crew vs Inter Miami — Tale of the Tape
| Columbus Crew | vs | Inter Miami |
|---|---|---|
| 13th | Position | 3rd |
| 36 | Points | 46 |
| 37 | Goals For | 63 |
| 42 | Goals Against | 48 |
| 5 | Clean Sheets | 4 |
| 10th | Home / Away Rank | 1st (A) |
The Crew should be in good spirits ahead of this fixture, even though several of their players are away on international duty, including Chase Adams, Nicholas Hagen, Steven Moreira, Cole Mrowka and Gonzalo Tapia.
Columbus recently saw off Orlando City in the US Open Cup, which means they have a final appearance waiting for them and the potential to win silverware this season.
However, the hosts must first try to get past an Inter Miami team that boasts the best away record in the east, but the Crew's 2-0 win away to Montreal last week will surely give them a timely boost.
Laurent Courtois's side have lost three of the last four games they hosted in this competition, scoring exactly one goal in three of those, while blanking in the other.
This season, the hosts have failed to win any of the seven regular-season fixtures after scoring the first goal, dropping a staggering 19 points from that position.
Inter Miami must try to stop their heavy reliance on Lionel Messi, as lately the team have become too dependent on the Argentine captain, but this week they will be without him, as he is away with Argentina.
With Charlotte FC breathing down their necks with just a three-point difference, Kily Gonzalez’s team can not afford any more hiccups if they are to secure home advantage in the playoffs.
Being winless in four MLS games in a row does not inspire much confidence, but having said that, they are also unbeaten in that run, an indication that the Herons can put up a fight.
The Florida outfit are also on a run of scoring at least once in each of their last 22 MLS matches in a row, but it remains to be seen if they can still be prolific without their magician captain, something that maybe Luis Suarez will have a thing or two say in this one.
Columbus Crew vs Inter Miami form guide & betting tips
| Columbus Crew | vs | Inter Miami |
|---|---|---|
LWLLW |
Form | WDDDD |
| 6 | Points | 7 |
| 16th | Form Table | 12th |
| 7 | Goals For | 14 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 8 |
WLLWW |
Form (All Comps) | DDDWD |
Whispers predicts: Columbus Crew 2-2 Inter Miami
Opting for either side to win considering their recent form might be a tricky pick, but settling for a draw at 3.80 odds seems worthwhile, especially since their recent head-to-head finished deadlocked.
The BTTS – Yes at 1.53 odds seems highly possible, but there is not much value in it, which means it is better to explore a combination bet of a Draw & BTTS – Yes at 4.10 odds.
In the absence of Lionel Messi, Inter's goalscoring burden will rest on Luis Suarez, who comes in at 2.44 for the Anytime Goalscorer pick, while Brais Mendez to score at 3.15 odds is a worthy pick.
> Both teams to score at 1.53 | Likelihood: High
> 1×2 – Draw at 3.80 | Likelihood: Medium
> 1×2 & BTTS – Draw & yes at 4.10 | Likelihood: Medium
> Anytime goalscorer – Luis Suarez at 2.44 | Likelihood: High
> Anytime goalscorer – Brais Mendez at 3.15 | Likelihood: Medium