Inter Miami will take on Club America in a unique friendly match on Sunday 19 January, where Mexico’s mightiest will meet the glitz and glamour of Messi et al at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Club America are often cited as the most popular and successful team in the North America region, continually appearing in continental competitions and unfailingly adding to their successes every generation, with a total of seven CONCACAF Champions League titles prominent amongst them.
Being 102 years Club America’s junior, Inter Miami provide an interesting opposition, standing in the eyes of pundits and fans alike as the nouveau-riche foil to the Mexican giants’ grand sense of tradition.
Ushering in the Javier Mascherano regime with the status of reigning Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield winners, they will fancy using this clash as a launchpad to even greater success in 2025.
The Herons will also figure largely in many of our MLS picks in the season to come.
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Inter Miami vs Club America prediction: A mere tune-up for Inter
Key Stats
- Inter Miami ended 2024 with two successive defeats despite scoring first.
- Club America are unbeaten in nine (W5, D4) – four of the wins saw a first-half draw.
- Both teams have scored in four of Club America’s last five matches.
Correct score prediction: Inter Miami 1-3 Club America
Club America go into this Vegas clash just two days after a home match against Club Tijuana, but that isn’t necessarily to their disadvantage. Inter Miami have been out of action for two months, so their rustiness could be an issue.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies on the fence
- HOME: 42/25 (2.68) – 37.3%
- DRAW: 99/25 (3.96) – 25.3%
- AWAY: 42/25 (2.68) – 37.3%
Both sides seem to have their respective reasons to feel confident going into this encounter. Indeed, Club America’s superior conditioning is one factor, but with Inter Miami’s last failure to score dating back to a 0-0 draw vs Orlando in May – and 27 games being played since – there is clearly the belief that their attacking quality will compensate.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Inter looking to level up
This will be the maiden clash between these two sides. Inter’s overall record against Mexican sides is in slightly negative territory (W2, L3), while Club America have a win-rate of 55% against American opponents (W11, D3, L6).
Inter Miami preview: Pre-season woes to continue?
Mascherano's appointment as Inter Miami boss reinforces the connection between the club and Barcelona's medal-laden A-listers of the 2010s. Yet, despite their star-studded image, Inter Miami have in fact gone three years without winning a friendly (D3, L9).
Opponents have ranged in difficulty, with Barcelona and Al-Nassr (both 6-0 winners, in July 2022 and February 2024 respectively) being the most painful additions to that record.
However, even the comparatively meek Newell’s Old Boys managed a 1-1 draw last winter, so we can expect as close to a full-strength lineup as possible from the Herons to try and end that drought.
Predicted lineup: Dos Santos, Jordi Alba, Martínez, Weigandt, Avilés, Busquets, Redondo, Gressel, Messi, Suárez, Picault
USA MLS 13/04/25
D
Chicago Fire
0
Inter Miami CF
0
CONCACAF Champions Cup 10/04/25
W
Los Angeles FC
1
Inter Miami CF
3
USA MLS 06/04/25
D
Toronto FC
1
Inter Miami CF
1
CONCACAF Champions Cup 03/04/25
L
Los Angeles FC
1
Inter Miami CF
0
USA MLS 29/03/25
W
Philadelphia Union
1
Inter Miami CF
2
Club America preview: Some rotation to be expected
Given the short time between this exhibition and their home clash with Tijuana, there could be some unfamiliar names in the XI. That said, they’ll be eager to carry on a proud record that has seen them net first in three of their last five outings.
Predicted lineup: Malagon, Araujo, Vazquez, Rossano, Sanchez, Vela, Villa, Arredondo, Portales, Lozano, Garcia
Mexico Liga MX 13/04/25
D
Cruz Azul
0
Club America
0
CONCACAF Champions Cup 09/04/25
L
Cruz Azul
2
Club America
1
Mexico Liga MX 05/04/25
L
Pachuca
1
Club America
0
CONCACAF Champions Cup 02/04/25
D
Cruz Azul
0
Club America
0
Mexico Liga MX 30/03/25
W
Tigres UANL
0
Club America
3
Player to watch: Fafa Picault
So far the only incoming transfer of 2025, the Haitian winger and international joined for free from Vancouver Whitecaps on New Year’s Eve. Last year, he netted nine goals in the regular campaign, with two of the last four being match-winning headers.