DC United – Inter Miami

The MLS season is still in its early stages, but the matchup between DC United and Inter Miami already gives us an interesting encounter between two teams with quite different strengths.

DC United has started the season with a solid defensive structure that makes them difficult to break down, while Inter Miami remains one of the league's most offensive teams - with Lionel Messi as the great conductor forward on the pitch.

This could easily be a match where Miami presses and dominates the ground game, while DC United tries to resist and fight back when opportunities arise

DC United – solid defensively, but without their old star

DC United lost their great goal-scoring star Christian Benteke before the season, who left the club after last year and went to the Arab club Al-Wahda.

Benteke was for a long time the very point of reference in DC United's attack, and many wondered how the team would replace his goal production.

However, the club did sign Tai Baribo from Philadelphia Union, a striker who scored 18 goals in MLS last season. He has already shown that he can be an important player in Washington as well. In the season opener, he scored against his old club Philadelphia Union, giving DC United a strong start to the season.

At the same time, the team has proven to be very solid defensively. In their last four games, they have only conceded one goal, making them one of the most difficult teams to break down right now.

The opponents still get a lot of play around the box. In the last two games, DC United has conceded a total of 15 corners, which tells us a lot about the game: the teams are pushing against a compact defense and end up with crosses and shots that go to corners.

Inter Miami – Messi show and offensive pressure

Inter Miami comes into the match after a dramatic and entertaining match away against Orlando City, where the team turned a 0–2 deficit into a 4–2 victory.

Once again, Lionel Messi was the big difference. The Argentine scored two goals in the match and showed once again why he is still the league's biggest star.

However, Miami is missing a key piece in the attack. Luis Suárez is out with an injury, which means that more of the offensive responsibility falls on Messi and the other creative players around him.

Even without Suárez, this is a team that attacks with width and pace, and that often presses their opponents deep into the pitch. This also has a statistical impact.

In the last two games, Inter Miami has produced 14 corners, which clearly shows how much pressure they put on their opponents' defenses

Conclusion

This matchup could quickly develop into a fairly clear battle picture.

DC United will likely be compact and make it difficult for Miami to find space in the middle of the field. At the same time, this defensive structure often means that opponents get a lot of play around the box.

Inter Miami will likely dominate the ball and press offensively, and then the statistics point quite clearly towards the corners coming steadily.

Miami also has enough individual quality to tip the match in their favor, although DC United is unlikely to make it easy.

Bet suggestions

MLS At 22:30 - DC United - Inter Miami:
Inter Miami over 4.5 corners (1.65)

Alternative game:

MLS At 22:30 - DC United - Inter Miami:
Inter Miami wins + Under 4.5 goals (2.21)