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LAFC vs Inter Miami predicted lineups – Messi test out west

LAFC vs Inter Miami sees two teams looking to bounce back form midweek disappointment, the hosts lost on the road to Charlotte FC while the South Florida side were held to a goalless draw by Nashville. While both managers will be tempted to rest players there is also a need to pick up points, especially for Inter Miami who are far behind a playoff spot. In what will surely be a close game to call here are the LAFC vs Inter Miami predicted lineups.

Ryan Hollingshead LAFC
Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA – Photo by Icon sport

LAFC vs Inter Miami predicted lineups and news

Lionel Messi was rested on the last road game in New York but Tata Martino has hinted he will need him from the start in this game. LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo will have to decide if he alters what has been a winning formula so far by trying to suck opponents in and win the match in transitions.  The game will be broadcast around the world via Apple TV+ and is the final match of the 30th gameweek in MLS.

This is the third ever meeting between the sides with Los Angeles FC winning the previous encounters, Inter Miami are still awaiting their first goal against this opponent.

Team news: LAFC

Steve Cherundolo was adamant in his pre-game press conference that it would be a mistake to focus on one player, also reminding journalists that this is a home game. Rather than be reactive the Black and Gold will plan to take the game to their opponents by being “fast and aggressive”.

There are no new injury concerns for LAFC with Diego Palacio and Diego Rosales both still out and Colombian defender Jesús Murillo remains questionable. A deadline day deal saw centre back Mamadou Fall cross the Atlantic to join Barcelona on loan, he had made just one appearance this season. As always the key focus will be on the attacking trident led by Carlos Vela who has the potential to stretch the Miami backline. Denis Bouanga has already scored 12 MLS goals this season, at the time of writing no player has more than 13 goals.

LAFC predicted lineup: 4-3-3

McCarthy-Palencia,Chiellini,Long,Hollingshead-Bogusz,Sánchez,Acosta-Bouanga,González,Vela

Team news: Inter Miami

Kamal Miller had a stand out game on Wednesday night against Nashville’s front line which included last year’s MVP Hany Mukhtar in the second half. Here Martino has to decide if he continues with a back four or a back three to try and secure a third straight MLS shut out. The Ukraine veteran Sergey Kryvstov hasn’t played the last two matches meaning Tomás Áviles has got more game time.

With so many attacking options we’ve seen different players around Messi in recent weeks with varying degrees of success. Undoubtedly the player that has formed the best partnership is Finnish international Robert Taylor who you would assume gets a start. As the main striker we could see either Leonardo Campana of Ecuador or Venezuela’s Josef Martínez.

Inter Miami predicted lineup: 4-3-3

Callender-Yedlin,Áviles,Miller,Alba-Arroyo,Busquets,Cremaschi-Taylor,Campana,Messi


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