MLS 2023: Inter Miami vs Sporting KC: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The Herons will be without their hero Lionel Messi's brilliance

The home team has got it all together after the Argentine legend arrived with much fanfare and admiration. Even in the last game, Lionel Messi was involved with two assists. Now the difficult part of the manager's job is to play a game without their main player. Messi along with several key players are out for international duties making Gerardo Martino's job pretty tense for this fixture against the opposite conference side.

For the away side though, this might be a blessing in disguise. Since no team has been able to beat Inter Miami with Messi, a way out is to beat them without him. And given the chance has finally arrived. Sporting KC will be looking to pounce upon it with much vigour. The away team themselves are on decent form and come here with a win from the last game against Western Conference's current table toppers St. Louis City SC.

Kick-Off:

Sunday, 10 September at 12:30 AM UK (5:00 AM IST)

Location: DRV PNK Stadium

Form

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

Sporting KC (in all competitions): W-W-L-W-L

Players to watch in Inter Miami vs Sporting KC

Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami)

With Lionel Messi off for international duties for his national side Argentina, Sergio Busquets will be the team's main source of light. The former La Masia graduate also joined Messi at Inter Miami this summer, after finally parting ways with FC Barcelona. The Designated Player from Spain will be eager to rotate the ball and even create chances for The Herons' attackers.

Dániel Sallói (Sporting KC)

The 27-year-old Hungarian winger will be eager to doge the opposition right back and create chances for his team. And as Inter Miami's main right back DeAndre Yedlin is out suspended for the game, Dániel Sallói down the left wing could be way much harder to handle for the home side. Sallói has been involved with either an assist or a goal for Sporting KC in each of his last four regular-season appearances in MLS.

Match facts for Inter Miami vs Sporting KC

• A win or draw for Inter Miami will extend their unbeaten run to 12 consecutive games in all competitions
• Inter Miami will be without the Argentine international Lionel Messi due to international duties. Messi assisted two goals in the last outing for Inter Miami
• If the away team, Sporting KC is able to score two goals, it will be their 500th for all-time away goals in the regular season of MLS

Injury & team news for Inter Miami vs Sporting KC

On the injury list, we have Corentin Jean, Franco Negri, Gregore and Ian Fray. And right back DeAndre Yedlin will also miss out due to suspension. Coach Gerardo Martino's biggest headache though will be to field a side without Lionel Messi. Messi has been the main man since his arrival at Inter Miami. The Argentine captain is out for international obligations for his country. Other notable absentees due to international call-ups will be goalkeeper Drake Callender and striker Josef Martinez.

Similarly, for the visitors Sporting KC, players such as Gadi Kinda and Marinos Tzionis will be out for international games. For American manager Peter Vermes the permanent absentee remains Kortne Ford due to an Achilles injury. Additionally, Graham Zusi, Stephen Afrifa and Kayden Pierre are still a doubt due to hamstring sprains.

Head to Head

This is the first meeting between the two sides.

Predicted Lineup for Inter Miami vs Sporting KC

Inter Miami predicted lineup (5-3-2):

Dos Santos (GK); Allen, Aviles, McVey, Miller, Alba; Ulloa, Busquets, Arroyo; Campana, Farias

Sporting KC predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Melia (GK); Davis, Rosero, Fontas, Ndenbe; Espinoza, Walter, Thommy; Russell, Pulido, Salloi

Match Prediction for Inter Miami vs Sporting KC

Lionel Messi has been firing on all cylinders be it scoring a goal or providing an assist since joining Inter Miami’s camp. And with it, Inter Miami have remained unbeaten throughout in 11 successive games. But due to MLS rules regarding international duties, Messi is off to Argentina.

Now a Messi-less home side Inter Miami will have the task of avoiding losing their streak of being unbeaten. Sporting KC will be coming into the game knowing this is the best chance to get all three points from the Miami outfit, which is without Messi in the opposition roster. However, given the importance of qualification for Inter Miami, we believe they will be able to hold off Sporting KC for a draw.

Prediction: Inter Miami 1-1 Sporting KC

Telecast

India – Apple TV

UK – Apple TV

US –  Apple TV, Fox Sports

Nigeria – Apple TV