Atlanta United vs Inter Miami: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Josef Martínez returns to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta United will surely have scars from their last meeting against Inter Miami. The game was played at the DRV PNK stadium where Inter Miami won 4-0 in the group stages of the Leagues Cup. The Five Stripes though now have a chance to get the better of the opponents at their home stadium. Also, Lionel Messi is set to step foot on this pitch for the very first time.

Inter Miami are in amazing form since Lionel Messi's debut. And his signing has probably also given The Herons a great moral boost having the seven-time Ballon d'Or in their ranks. Recently we have seen how they made a comeback even without Messi to win the bout against Sporting KC. It will also be a special game for Josef Martínez who will be back to step foot at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this time as an opponent. Martínez joined Inter Miami on a free this January after being with Atlanta United from 2017.

Kick-Off:

Saturday, 16 September at 10:00 PM UK

Sunday, 17 September at 2:30 AM IST

Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Form

Atlanta United (in all competitions): D-L-W-W-L

Inter Miami (in all competitions): W-W-D-W-W

Players to watch in Atlanta United vs Inter Miami

Thiago Almada (Atlanta United)

The 22-year-old Argentine midfielder wears the number 10 on his back for a reason. In the Major League Soccer's regular season, Thiago Almada has assisted his teammates a whopping 13 times in 25 appearances. Even his 9 goals have helped the Atlanta United team keep firing this season. The Five Stripes are just behind Columbus Crew in terms of goals scored this season. Almada was in the squad that lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup for Argentina.

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

Without a doubt, Lionel Messi is the player to watch once again after being away on international duties. He might have not played the last outing for his national side Argentina against Bolivia, but will be a key player in this MLS Eastern Conference battle. The former La Masia graduate joined Inter Miami this summer after leaving the capital of France and Europe altogether. The Herons have already witnessed his brilliance in 11 games he featured to output 11 goals and 5 assists. He has been the man to turn around the bitter fortunes of the Inter Miami unit.

Match facts

• A win or draw for Inter Miami will extend their unbeaten run to 13 consecutive games in all competitions
• Inter Miami will have the Argentine international Lionel Messi back in the squad after briefly missing out due to international duties. Messi has assisted 5 goals and scored 11 for his side in 11 games
• It is the third time both teams will collide this season. Inter Miami won the previous two at home

Injury & team news

Atlanta United are set to see Lionel Messi perform on their ground the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the very first time. But manager Gonzalo Pineda has a few notable absentees to face him. The Five Stripes will be without Osvaldo Alonso and Jamal Thiare.

On the Inter Miami injury list, we have Corentin Jean, Franco Negri, Gregore and Ian Fray. Coach Gerardo Martino’s biggest headache in the last game was probably to be without their magician Lionel Messi. Messi and the other eight players will be back on the team after returning from international duties.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 11

Atlanta United wins – 3

Inter Miami wins – 5

Draws – 3

Predicted Lineup

Atlanta United predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Guzan (GK); Lennon, Robinson, Abram, Wiley; Muyumba, Rosetto; Mosquera, Almada, Silva; Giakoumakis

Inter Miami predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Callender (GK); Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Miller, Alba; Arroyo, Busquets, Cremaschi; Messi, Martinez, Taylor

Match Prediction for Atlanta United vs Inter Miami

This is the third time Atlanta United and Inter Miami face off against each other this year. The previous two were held at the DRV PNK Stadium where the home side Inter Miami won both. Now an away fixture could prove to be different for David Beckham's co-owned Miami side.

But the home team Atlanta United haven't been in good form in the last two games. With a loss and a recent draw, it will be hard for them to hope for a clear victory against Messi's Inter Miami. Also, The Five Stripes are table-toppers in terms of goals conceded this MLS season in the Eastern Conference. A high-scoring Miami outfit could prove to be once again overwhelming for the leaky defence of the hosts.

Prediction: Atlanta United 1-3 Inter Miami

Telecast

India – Apple TV

UK – Apple TV

US –  Apple TV, Fox Sports

Nigeria – Apple TV