Inter Miami – Columbus Crew 01-06-2025

Messi, xG and a match that should explode

Saturday night is set for a new round at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, and it's not just any match. Inter Miami – with Messi, Suárez and Busquets in form – will be visited by Columbus Crew, who are desperate for revenge after being outplayed in the previous meeting. The table is starting to tighten, and this matchup could have a lot to say for who stays at the top of the Eastern Conference. But what really makes this exciting? It's not the standings – it's the match picture.

Because this smells like goals. Lots of goals.

Inter Miami: Entertainment ahead – uncertainty behind

Let's start with the obvious: when Messi and Suárez are on, Inter Miami is one of the most dangerous teams in MLS. Against Montreal, it was classic Messi - passes that cut through joints, long shots from nowhere, and an attacking game that rolls like an elegant little rush. They created 14 shots, had 5 big chances, and scored four goals. It could have been more.

But at the same time: they conceded two. And that's nothing new. Miami has conceded in 6 of the last 7 games, and the defensive absences are noticeable. Alba and Avilés are out, and even though they try to compensate with possession, it's still a team that leaks when it first gets a violation.

I don't like the idea of ​​relying on them to keep a clean sheet. But I love the opportunities for them to create chances – and miss chances. That's where the value lies.

Columbus Crew: Revenge-hungry and still dangerous

Columbus is a team I like. They are solid, well-drilled, and have been one of the most consistent attacking teams in MLS in recent seasons. Diego Rossi is still the most dominant player, but players like Ramírez and Yeboah also contribute. They create chances, and they don't give up.

And the last time they faced Inter Miami? They produced an xG of 3.14 – to Miami’s 0.85 – and still lost. I guess it’s still in their bones. And that’s usually a good sign when a team feels like they have something unsettled.

The Crew have conceded five straight goals, but they're also scoring. And when they get space - which Miami will give them - they know how to take advantage of it. I think they can find the back of the net here. Maybe more than once.

What do I expect?

A match where both teams dare to attack. Where Messi will dictate, and Columbus will respond. A match that will not be decided with simple 1–0 scores, but which develops into an open match with chances both ways. I actually don't think these two teams are capable of playing a positional war-like match as it stands now. There is too much openness at the back, and too much quality up front.

So I'm going straight to the overs.

Bet suggestions

MLS at 01:30 - Inter Miami - Columbus Crew: Over 2.5 goals and both teams score (1.60)

Alternative bet 1: Over 3.5 goals and both teams to score (2.24)

Alternative bet 2 (BetBuilder): Over 2.5 goals + both teams to score + over 8.5 corners + over 2.5 cards (3.73)

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