FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 9/4/21
Inter Miami will be looking to extend a three-match unbeaten streak when it travels to FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Miami is coming off a 0-0 draw against Orlando City and it is still seven points back of an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Cincinnati has been the second-worst team in the table and it is coming off a very frustrating loss at Columbus.
Miami fortunate to tie Orlando
Inter Miami CF has some momentum coming into this match. It picked up a pair of wins at home, beating Chicago 3-2 and Toronto 3-1. The club had their win streak snapped in a 0-0 draw with Orlando City last Friday, but their unbeaten streak moved to three games. It has also won three of its last five matches, with the lone loss coming at NYCFC. Orlando City had a penalty kick saved 12 minutes into the contest. Miami was heavily outplayed, giving up 15 shots to its five. Orlando City also held the possession advantage, so it was a match that Miami will have been happy to have pulled out a point.
The Herons have been able to get their season back on track, but they are still seven points back of the final playoff spot in the standings. They are four points back of both Columbus and DC United. They have picked up wins in their last two matches against Cincinnati, including a 3-2 win in May. Road matches have not been kind to Miami this year, as it has only won two of its nine contests away from home. Its defense has been solid though, with only two teams in the conference allowing fewer goals away from home.
Cincinnati struggling to find wins
Cincinnati comes into this match as one of the worst teams in the MLS. It is two points clear of Toronto for last place in the Eastern Conference. Cincinnati has failed to pick up a win in its last 11 matches and it is coming off its second straight defeat away from home. Columbus took a 1-0 lead 45 minutes into the match, but Cincinnati responded with a first-half stoppage-time goal. Isaac Atanga scored in the 74th minute to give the roadside a 2-1 advantage—his team could not hold on.
The Crew scored in the 81st and 82nd minutes to pick up a thrilling win in front of their home crowd. Cincinnati is the only team in the MLS that has failed to win a match at home this season. It is five points behind New York in the standings and is 13 points out of a playoff position. Cincinnati is currently missing Zico Bailey (knee) and Calvin Harris (hip) due to injury. Defender Maikel van der Werff has been out for the entire season with a hernia issue.
Pick: (Miami +215)
There is no chance I would recommend backing FC Cincinnati as a home favorite. It has failed to win a match at home all year. While variance could certainly be a factor, it becomes mental at a certain point—I think they are well past that point. Cincinnati has also failed to win a single match in its last 11 tries and this is not a spot where I think they turn things around. Inter Miami is still in the playoff hunt, so there should be a motivational edge. Miami is also in pretty good form right now, so I like their odds as lengthy underdogs.
Total (Under 2.25)
Cincinnati has only scored multiple goals in a match once in its last eight tries. It has scored two total goals in its last four matches at home, making the under my bet in this one. Inter Miami might not have a great record away from home, but its defense has been outstanding in those matches. It will be looking to control possession and add one or two crucial goals to take all three points on Saturday. Cincinnati cannot be trusted to put the ball in the back of the net, so I will take the under in this one.