Inter Miami vs. NYCFC Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 10/30/21
New York City FC will be looking to cement its spot in the playoffs when it travels to Inter Miami on Saturday. Meanwhile, Miami needs a win if it wants to keep its slim postseason hopes alive. It is currently six points back of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
NYCFC coming off a dominant win over DC United
NYCFC has only lost once in its five matches in the month of October. That setback came on Oct. 17 in a 1-0 final against crosstown rival New York Red Bulls. Outside of that loss, NYCFC has played to two draws and recorded two wins. The draws came against Nashville FC and Atlanta United. NYCFC’s attack exploded for six goals in a 6-0 final against DC United last Saturday. They were not quite as explosive on Wednesday, but they still recorded all three points in a 1-0 win over Chicago. The lone goal of the match came six minutes after halftime when Valentin Castellanos netted a penalty kick.
This is another critical match for the visitors. They are currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, but they are only three points ahead of seventh-place D.C. United. NYCFC is also just three points back of third place, so there is a lot to be decided over the next 10 days. The Pigeons are going to bring some confidence into this match, as they beat Miami 2-0 when these teams met in August. They have struggled away from Yankee Stadium this year, recording just 14 of their 47 points on the road. Their attack ranks fourth in the MLS, netting 52 goals this season.
Inter Miami has to win out
Inter Miami is already all but eliminated from the playoffs. It enters this match sitting six points back of a playoff spot with just two matches remaining. Miami needs to win both of those contests and receive some help from other teams. Its final match is against MLS-leading New England, so the playoff chances are extremely low. Miami has lost seven of its last nine matches, including a 2-1 setback at Atlanta United on Wednesday. It snapped a five-game losing skid with a win over Toronto and then added a 5-1 win over Cincinnati to give its fans some hope down the stretch.
Those fans were disappointed on Wednesday, though. Miami took the lead 32 minutes into the match, as Gonzalo Higuain scored on a penalty kick, but Atlanta scored a pair of goals in the second half to pick up the win. Miami enters this match as the lowest-scoring team in the Eastern Conference—it was shut-out by NYCFC earlier this season. The defense has been suspect at home this season as well, allowing 32 goals in 16 matches at Lockhart Stadium. They will need to step up on both sides of the pitch if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. Inter Miami is without five players due to injury.
Spread (NYCFC -115)
These teams are trending in opposite directions as the regular season concludes. NYCFC has won consecutive matches for the first time since July and can potentially clinch a playoff spot this weekend. Valentin Castellanos is just one goal back of DC United’s Ola Kamara for the top
goal-scorer in the MLS. He will have the Golden Boot on his mind heading into this match against a Miami defense that has been leaky at home this season. Miami is dealing with a ton of injuries and I do not think they have enough hope of making the playoffs to show up motivated on Saturday.
Total (Over 2.5)
It would be tough to take the under 2.5 and NYCFC in the same match. This is one of the best attacking teams in the MLS and they could potentially have the Golden Boot winner in their starting 11. They are facing a Miami defense that has allowed an average of two goals per home match this season. There would not be much wiggle room with a bet on the under, especially if you also have an NYCFC ticket. Miami can score goals, getting on the board in each of its last three matches.