Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami Prediction, Preview and Odds-5/2/21
Inter Miami CF are coming off their first win of the season and in a Sunday affair they host a Nashville FC club that is looking to get their first win of the season.
You can say that Nashville has been consistent in the early going this season, as in two matches they have played both to a 2-2 draw. The team had a great first season in the MLS last season with a killer defense but not much offense. This season their D has not been great, but their attack has been pretty solid.
Like Nashville, Miami also made the playoffs last season, and they are coming off their first win this season.
Keep it Up Against Miami
In the last three matches facing Miami Nashville has played great defense in keeping three clean sheets. The team has played to a draw in their two matches this season and their defense has looked a little shaky. In their last match, they faced CF Montreal and battled back to force a draw after going down 2-0 in the first half. Hany Mukhtar scored the equalizer in the 77th minute and Jhonder Cadiz also scored. Nashville has been down 2-0 in their two matches this season and look to avoid that facing a Miami team that only allowed one goal in their last match.
Nashville look to shore up their D in this home match. Their first two matches this season have both been at home and they have already conceded four goals while last season they only conceded nine goals at home.
In the two home matches, they conceded four goals while they only conceded nine goals at home all of last season. In the draw with Montreal, they won the time of possession battle (57% to 43%) and also had twice as many shots (18-9).
Cadiz has scored a goal in each of the first two games and Randall Leal has two assists.
The Brothers Get It Done
Miami was on the road in their last match beating the Philadelphia Union where brothers Gonzalo Higuaín and Federico Higuaín each scored. They scored the goals after the 72nd minute after being down 1-0 and Inter got the W despite losing the time of possession battle (53% to 47%) and even though they only had six shots in the match.
The Miami defense was solid in the last match holding 2020 supporters shield champions Philadelphia to only one goal. Now they face a Nashville team that has scored at least two goals in their last three home matches dating back to last season.
Gonzalo Higuaín has found the back of the net in the first two matches for Miami this season and he also has an assist.
Side: Draw +240
Nashville is still looking for their first win of the season after two draws and while they have not lost they have been down 2-0 in both matches. They have some injury concerns, as the striker duo of Daniel Rios and Abu Danladi are out for this match. On the other side of the coin, Miami should have a full squad at the ready. Nashville went unbeaten against Miami last season and can they continue that to get their first win of the season? I would say no. Nashville has not looked good in the first half of either of their matches and I think Miami will strike first blood. However, the home club will come back and that is why I see the draw being the good pick in this match.
Total: Over 2.5
Both teams are coming off matches where they scored two goals and since Nashville has also given up two goals in each of their first two matches I am leaning towards the Over in this one. I think both teams will find the back of the net and I would not be surprised if each one did so twice. Miami is confident coming off their first win of the season and they will play well looking to beat Nashville for the first time in MLS play. Each team’s defense will be susceptible to the attack and give up goals, which is why the Over is the pick for this match.