Inter Miami will attempt to keep their MLS playoff hopes alive when they welcome FC Cincinnati to the DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday.
While the hosts are languishing in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, the visitors have already wrapped up the Supporters' Shield.
Match preview
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Inter Miami's hopes of reaching the playoffs have been dented by an injury to Lionel Messi, who has been sidelined since a 4-0 victory over Toronto on September 21.
In Messi's absence, Inter Miami have endured a four-game winless run in all competitions, which began with a 1-1 draw against Orlando City and a 2-1 defeat to Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final.
Gerardo Martino's side returned to action with a 1-1 draw against New York City, before they were beaten 4-1 in Wednesday's away meeting with Chicago Fire, leaving them five points adrift of the top nine with three games to play.
While they have at least one game in hand on the majority of the teams above them, Inter Miami have a mountain to climb if they are to reach the post-season for the second year in a row.
Before they wrap up the regular season with back-to-back games against Charlotte FC, the Herons will attempt to continue their impressive home record against Cincinnati, having won two and drawn one of their previous three home meetings.
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FC Cincinnati have enjoyed a memorable campaign, winning 19 of their 32 matches to win the Supporters' Shield for the first time in their history.
The Orange and Blue will only feel that half the job is done, though, as they dream of winning their first MLS Cup, but before they can focus on the playoffs, they must negotiate their final two matches of the regular season against Inter Miami and Atlanta United.
They will head into Saturday's contest off the back of their fifth MLS defeat of the season after a much-changed side lost 2-1 to New York Red Bulls at TQL Stadium, where Cincinnati conceded two goals inside the opening 17 minutes, before Luciano Acosta pulled a goal from the penalty spot.
After losing an MLS home match for just the second time in 2023, Cincinnati will head on their travels, where they are enjoying a four-game unbeaten run after beating Atlanta United and Toronto either side of away draws against Philadelphia Union and Montreal.
While the visitors may have already won the Eastern Conference, they will be looking for revenge after losing on penalties to Inter Miami in the semi-final of the US Open Cup in August.
Team News
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The hosts will definitely be without the services of Ian Fray, Franco Negri, Corentin Jean, Gregore and Diego Gomez.
Having missed Inter Miami's last four matches through injury, Messi is unlikely to recover in time for Saturday's encounter.
Left-back Jordi Alba and forward Leonardo Campana are also questionable, with the pair struggling with hamstring issues.
As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Stiven Jimenez and Arquimides Ordonez, who are both ruled out with leg injuries.
Defender Alvas Powell, who was sent off against New York Red Bulls, will miss Saturday's away trip through suspension.
After rotating his squad for Wednesday's defeat, Cincinnati boss Pat Noonan could bring the likes of Alvaro Barreal, Junior Moreno, Santiago Arias, Brandon Vazquez and Acosta back into the side.
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Calender; Yedlin, Kryvstov, Miller, Allen; Arroyo, Busquets, Cremaschi; Taylor, Farias, Martinez
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Kann; Murphy, Miazga, Mosquera; Arias, Moreno, Acosta, Nwobodo, Barreal; Boupendza, Vazquez
We say: Inter Miami 1-2 FC Cincinnati
Inter Miami's busy schedule appears to have taken its toll on Martino's squad, and with the hosts expected to be without a number of key players, we think that they will be edged out by the Supporters' Shield winners.
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