Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew

Inter Miami and Columbus Crew are set to trade tackles at the DRV PNK Stadium in a high-stakes Major League Soccer match-up.

Gerardo Martino’s touchline debut saw Inter Miami hold Austin to a dramatic 1-1 home draw on Sunday, ending a dreadful run of seven consecutive league defeats. But it’s still not enough to reignite their stuttering bid to secure a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, with 9th-placed DC United ten points away. Indeed, the ‘Herons’ must launch a substantial winning streak to close the distance, but an ominously-looking four-match winless MLS streak at home (D1, L3) cannot inspire much confidence. It’s also worth noting Inter failed to score more than once in each of those four outings, highlighting the significance of keeping things tight at the back. But since they’re without a clean sheet in their last nine league fixtures, that’s easier said than done.

Inter’s defensive flaws could help high-flying Columbus Crew avenge a brace of H2H defeats in the MLS and extend their impressive six-game unbeaten run (W5, D1). Since a 1-1 draw at New York City on their most recent league travel, the visitors have won back-to-back home matches by an aggregate score of 4-1, breaking the deadlock within the first 20 minutes on both occasions. Another quick-fire start may not necessarily aid Columbus’ cause, considering they’ve lost two of their three away league matches when leading at halftime this season (W1). But after managing just a single point from three MLS travels when trailing at the break (D1, L2), they’ll hope to fly out of the traps.