Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew Preview – prediction, team news, lineups | MLS 2026
18 points separate the two sides on the points table.
Matchday 18 of Major League Soccer (MLS) will take us to the Nu Stadium. Inter Miami will lock horns with Columbus Crew in a must-watch game.
The home side registered a 1-0 win against Montréal on the previous matchday. With 37 points to their name, the Herons are currently placed in second spot in the Eastern Conference.
Columbus Crew, on the other hand, are still struggling to find their footing in the ongoing season. With five wins, four draws and eight losses, the Crew have only accumulated 19 points from their opening 17 matches.
Their last fixture ended in a close 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati. They will look to get their season back on track by defeating the defending champions.
Kickoff:
- Location: Miami, Florida
- Stadium: Nu Stadium
- Date and Kickoff time: August 2, Sunday – 05:00 am IST; August 1- 11:30 pm GMT/07:30 pm ET
- Referee: Not decided
- VAR: In Use
Form:
Inter Miami (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-W
Columbus Crew (in all competitions): W-L-D-W-W
Players to watch out for:
Casemiro (Inter Miami)
The Brazilian midfielder joined the Herons recently. He has made an immediate impact in Major League Soccer. He is one of the best defensive midfielders of all time.
The midfielder is renowned for his physical and aggressive playing style. His pressing is intense. He is also a threat from set piece situations.
Maximilian Arfsten (Columbus Crew)
Maximilian Arfsten’s output has been one of the few positives for the Columbus Crew in the ongoing MLS season. He is one of their top goalscorer and has found the back of the net four times already this season. He constantly occupies the opposition defenders and creates space for his teammates.
Match Facts:
- The last game between these two teams ended in a 5-1 win for the Herons.
- Inter Miami won 1-0 against Montréal in their last game.
- Columbus Crew won 2-1 against Cincinnati in their last game.
Betting tips and odds
- Tip 1: Inter Miami to win – 2.11 by Stake
- Tip 2: Both teams to score – 1.39 by Dafabet
- Tip 3: Expected Goals – Over 2.5 – 1.77 by 1XBET
Injury and Team news:
Tadeo Allende, David Ayala, Gonzalo Luján, Maximiliano Falcón and Germán Berterame will be unavailable for the home side.
Columbus Crew, on the other hand, will be without Wessam Abou Ali for their clash against Inter Miami.
Head to Head:
Total matches: 12
Inter Miami won: 7
Columbus Crew won: 3
Draws: 2
Predicted Lineups:
Inter Miami (4-4-2)
Ríos Novo(GK); Reguilón, Micael, Abadia-Reda, Mura; Segovia, Bright, Casemiro, Silvetti; Plambeck, Suárez
Columbus Crew (3-4-2-1)
Schulte(GK); Zawadzki, Camacho, Moreira; Arfsten, Bangoura, Chambost; Farsi; Gazdag, Habroune; Thiaré
Match Prediction:
Inter Miami will have a home advantage. Historically, they have held a better record against the Columbus Crew. Our prediction for this game will be –
Prediction: Inter Miami 2-1 Columbus Crew
Telecast details:
Worldwide: Apple TV+
Where to watch Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew live in India?
The game will be streamed live on Apple TV+ in India.
Who won the last head-to-head encounter between these two teams?
The last game between these two teams ended in a 5-1 win for the Herons.
Where will the game between Inter Miami and Columbus Crew be played?
The game will be played at the Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
Bhavya is a passionate and knowledgeable writer specializing in Football and WWE. With a deep-rooted passion for these sports dating back to 2013, he brings over a decade of insight and enthusiasm to every piece of writing.