Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The final chance for the Crown in the regular season's final game

The 2023 MLS regular season is now down to the final fixture for each team apart from D.C. United. D.C. United have already played the full 34 regular season fixtures. The Black and Red from Washington currently occupy the second spot in the final series playoffs among the Eastern Conference clubs. But they can only watch and hope as to who will make it. Apart from them, five teams are also vying to secure the two final series playoff spots and have games to play which can change the final outlook of the table.

One such team is Charlotte. Charlotte had a very good chance to make it to the final series playoffs on their own. But as Inter Miami held them for a draw in the last fixture, Charlotte has to also rely on the outcomes of the other teams' final games. Anyhow, a win should be the sole target for them as they host Inter Miami at the Bank of America Stadium.

Lionel Messi didn't feature for Inter Miami last time out but still made it to the stands to watch his side play. Messi came to watch the DRV PNK Stadium fixture after playing the full 90 minutes against Peru for the Argentina national football team. The Herons don't have anything to play for in the final game of the MLS regular season but could serve as a towering wall in the hopes of Charlotte FC and their fans.

Kick-Off:

Saturday, 21 October at 6:00 PM ET

Sunday, 22 October at 3:30 AM IST

Location: Bank of America Stadium

Form

Charlotte (in all competitions): D-W-W-L-L

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

Players to watch

Karol Świderski (Charlotte)

Charlotte FC could only use one of their key players as a substitute against Inter Miami in the last game. Karol Świderski was one of three players called up for international duties. And as Karol Świderski played the full 90 minutes for the Poland national football team against Moldova, he didn't feature from the start against Inter Miami in the reverse fixture. Before the substitute appearance against The Herons, Świderski had scored three goals in the earlier two games for The Crown.

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

Even after playing the full 90 minutes in the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifier win against Peru, Messi made it to the stands to watch his club play. With Lionel Messi not featuring in several games due to scar tissue concerns, Inter Miami failed to stay on course to reach the 2023 MLS playoffs. Messi has 11 goals and 5 assists since joining The Herons in July. And has enough qualities to put a lasting damage to the home side.

Match facts

• Inter Miami are winless in the last six games in all competitions
• Charlotte FC will seek a win to have chances of making the MLS final series playoffs which is also dependent on other team matches
• The last game ended in a 2-2 draw. The Crown failed to keep hold of the lead although they went ahead on two occasions

Injury & team news

Karol Swiderski was seen making just about 30 minutes of appearance off the bench. And should be in the starting lineup for this do-or-die fixture. Coach Christian Lattanzio will be without the services of Ben Bender and Vinicius Mello in the final game of the regular season as they are on the treatment table. Derrick Jones's yellow card suspension is over and is available for selection.

Inter Miami don't have anything to gain from this game. But we could also see the trio of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi finally line up once again in the final game of the MLS regular season. Alba made a substitute appearance last time and should be ready to play the full game. Among the players sidelined Coach Gerardo Martino will have Diego Gomez, Corentin Jean, Franco Negri and Ian Fray.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 4

Charlotte wins – 1

Inter Miami wins – 2

Draws – 1

Predicted Lineup

Charlotte predicted lineup (4-4-2):

Kahlina (GK); Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Uronen; Jozwiak, Westwood, Bronico, Vargas; Swiderski, Copetti

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

Callender (GK); Yedlin, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Miller, Alba; Ruiz, Busquets, Farias; Messi, Martinez

Match Prediction for Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami

The home side have everything to play for. A win puts them in contention to make the MLS final series playoffs for the first time in their history. The only problem they have is to face regrouped Inter Miami and earn a win. The Herons finally could have the trio - Messi, Alba and Busquets, to start once again. If Messi and Alba both start, it could end up in heartbreak for Charlotte fans.

Prediction: Charlotte 2-4 Inter Miami

Telecast

India – Apple TV

UK – Apple TV

US –  Apple TV, Fox Sports

Nigeria – Apple TV