Two teams with very contrasting fortunes face off in the Eastern Conference on Sunday (6pm ET; TV: Live on ESPN+). For Nashville, it’s a case of consolidating their position towards the top following a fast start and, potentially, they can challenge for the Conference title.
For David Beckham’s Inter Miami, there is a more urgent task to climb off the bottom of the table or any chance of involvement in the postseason will be gone. Miami are always under the spotlight due to their high-profile owner but his faith in former teammate Phil Neville as club coach is now under huge pressure.
This preview will take a look at the form and odds for this MLS game before concluding with our predictions and picks.
Miami vs Nashville Moneyline Odds
Considering that there is a big gap between the two teams, the moneyline betting is much closer than we might have expected. In fact, some sportsbooks are quoting the same win odds of +175 on Inter Miami and Nashville SC. Elsewhere, Inter are narrow favorites at +170 in places. The draw completes the moneyline options at +230.
Inter may be rooted at the bottom of the Eastern Conference but there are some reasons for positivity. Coach Neville’s side are unbeaten in their last three games and their most recent result was a 1-1 draw away to second placed Orlando City.
Nashville also returned an impressive draw in midweek as they held the leaders New England Revolution to a goalless share of the points. Gary Smith’s side edge the form table, however, despite Miami’s recent fightback.
If you agree with many pundits and can’t see beyond the away win, there is still some potential for value from within the list of props.
Prop Bets
Nashville’s leading scorer at this stage of the campaign is the veteran, former USMNT striker C.J. Sapong who has five goals from 17 matches so far. This is Sapong’s first season at the Nissan Stadium and he is maintaining the kind of scoring ratio that we have previously seen at Chicago Fire and Sporting Kansas City.
Over at Inter Miami, Gonzalo Higuain is the man carrying the greatest goal scoring responsibility. The Argentine international has stepped up with seven goals from 13 games but a lack of support to the main striker has cost the team across the early stages of the season.
Higuain has been missing since the New England defeat through injury but has a chance to return, even if it is to the subs’ bench. Individual goal scorer betting has been slow to come through following the midweek games but both of those key strikers will start among the favorites.
Moving away from individual markets, Both Teams to Score is quoted for Sunday’s game at best odds of -105. It’s another split market with odds for ‘No’ on BTTS coming in at a general -125.
Neither side has exactly been prolific throughout the campaign so far. Nashville may sit in fourth place but they have scored just 25 in 17 matches at an average of around 1.5 per game. Inter Miami are at the bottom so it is no surprise to see that they have found the net just 13 times in 15 matches.
Those stats should be kept in mind for the Both Teams to Score prop and also for the Total Goals markets. Under 2.5 combined goals could be the way to go here at odds of around -150. Those who are expecting something more exciting can claim Over 2.5 goals at a top price of +125 while a push to Over 3.5 is available at an average of around +240.
This preview will round off as always with some Correct Score prices and there could well be some interest in a 1-1 final outcome at best odds of +550. Alternatively, a 2-1 win for Nashville is quoted at a best of +900 while the same result in favor of Inter Miami can be backed at a slightly better top price of +1000.
Our Preview’s Inter Miami vs Nashville Predictions Verdict with Betting Picks
Ten places separate these two teams in the Eastern Conference but the recent form guide suggests that this could be a closer game than table indicates. Phil Neville’s dejected post-match interview following the 5-0 defeat to New England showed that the club and coach were at their lowest point.
Inter have responded since that loss and are unbeaten in their last three. Improvement has been steady rather than spectacular but there are signs that Miami can build from this point. With home advantage this weekend, it remains a tough fixture but we are picking the draw.
If that verdict is to convert, it is likely to be a dour 90 minutes without too much attacking intent. Under 2.5 goals looks logical based on recent results but at heavy odds-on (-150), we won’t have a bet. As for anytime goalscorer betting, Miami’s Lewis Morgan is due a contribution.
So these are our Inter Miami vs Nashville betting predictions and picks for this MLS game:
- The draw on the moneyline @ +230 with BetOnline.
- Lewis Morgan to score at any time @ +370 with Bovada.
Matt Harris is a golf and soccer expert for USA Betting. His other area of specialist knowledge is cricket. He is well known in sports journalism and contributes articles to a plethora of big-name websites and media outlets. Titles that he writes or has written for include: Betfair, BetVictor, Unibet & Just Bookies.