Keen to bounce back from a CONCACAF Champions Cup loss to Los Angeles FC, Inter Miami return to MLS action on Sunday, seeking a fifth consecutive league victory by defeating winless Toronto in a gameweek seven fixture at Chase Stadium.
Javier Mascherano's men are already atop the overall standings despite playing one fewer game than any other team, and they enter their next clash as heavy favourites against an opponent without maximum points in six matches this season.
Match preview
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Despite failing to score in the 1-0 Champions Cup defeat, Miami are back in league action knowing no team has prevented them from scoring since May 2024.
That goalless match against Orlando City has been followed by the Herons finding the back of the net in 28 straight matches, including playoff games, and they will back themselves to score for the 29th match in a row.
This expectation increases if Lionel Messi continues his scoring run in consecutive 2-1 wins against Atlanta United and Philadelphia Union, with the latter goal coming just two minutes after his introduction.
The Florida outfit's previous league victory marked the fourth in succession for last year's Supporters' Shield winners, who aim to notch five straight MLS triumphs for the first time since last September, when Vice City beat this weekend's opponents along with Chicago Fire (2-1, 4-1), Cincinnati (2-0) and Philadelphia (3-1).
Already at the top of the Eastern Conference, the home support will anticipate a fifth straight win in this fixture to return to winning form after midweek disappointment.
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Since Toronto defeated the Miami-based club in March 2023, the Canadian side have suffered four straight losses in this fixture by an aggregate score of 12-5.
Robin Fraser's men face an uphill battle to snap that streak due to the historical precedent against a team that have defeated them in nine of the last 10 match-ups.
Adding to the Reds' concerns ahead of Sunday's visit to the MLS overall table-toppers is their winless start, having lost four out of six.
No team in the Eastern Conference or the overall standings has conceded more than Toronto's 12 goals, while their six goals scored ranks them below all but New England Revolution and Montreal, both of whom have three.
While Fraser's men kept a clean sheet last weekend in the goalless draw with Vancouver Whitecaps, their first of the year, the Reds will need a higher-level performance to hold back Messi and his teammates.
Team News
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Marcelo Weigandt's hamstring injury will be assessed before Sunday; however, Tadeo Allende, David Martinez, David Ruiz and Ryan Sailor are expected to miss out.
Messi required just two minutes after coming on against Philadelphia to score his third MLS goal this season, and the legendary forward, who has scored or assisted in every league appearance this term, is expected to be decisive on Sunday.
Nevertheless, Messi (two) and Luis Suarez (one) have been outscored by Telasco Segovia, who could add to his three strikes against Canadian opponents.
Toronto's Matthew Longstaff (ankle) and Zane Monlouis (knee) will be evaluated before their visit to Florida, although the away side are not expected to have Richie Laryea and Kevin Long available.
Only Deandre Kerr has scored more than one goal for TFC this season, making him the away side's leading threat.
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Ustari; Fray, Falcon, Aviles, Alba; Taylor, Redondo, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suarez
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Thompson, Rosted, Gomis, Petretta; Coello, Osorio; Bernardeschi, Insigne, Spicer; Brynhildsen
We say: Inter Miami 3-1 Toronto
Although Inter Miami have won four in a row in MLS, Mascherano's men have kept only one clean sheet during this run, which remains the team's only shutout this term, and this pattern may continue against Toronto.
Nonetheless, the hosts should possess too much firepower to secure the points at the expense of the Canadian outfit, thus recording five wins on the trot in this match-up.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
