The third edition of the Leagues Cup starts this week. Inter Miami start their title-defending campaign on Saturday, July 27 with a game against Mexican side Puebla. Even though Puebla is officially labeled as the host team, the game is taking part on Inter Miami’s turf – Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
This explains why Inter Miami is seen as an odds-on favorite to win this game. The problem, however, is that they will be without their best player Lionel Messi.
Puebla vs. Inter Miami Odds
| Moneyline | Odds |
|---|---|
| Puebla | +445 |
| Draw | +350 |
| Inter Miami | -182 |
| Goal Totals | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 2.5 | -175 |
| Under 2.5 | +141 |
373 players claimed the offer this month
When, Where, and How to Watch?
- Place: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: Apple TV
Can Puebla Take Advantage of Lionel Messi’s Absence?
Puebla’s players aren’t playing great soccer at the moment. Since the start of the Liga MX in July, they’re 1-1-2, with their only win happening in the opening round. The worst thing is that they’ve been without a win away from their home stadium since November 2023.
On the bright side, Puebla’s roster is packed with good players, especially at the back. According to Transfermarkt, four of the top 5 most valuable players on this squad are defenders. This is why it’s kind of surprising that Puebla conceded at least a goal in 24 of its 25 previous games.
Lionel Messi won’t play for Inter Miami on July 27, but such leaky defense probably won’t do great against his colleagues either.
On the bright side for Puebla’s fans, this team’s been good offensively. These guys scored a total of five goals in the four games they’ve played so far this summer.
Can Inter Miami Cope Without Messi?
The answer is yes, and the evidence is that Inter Miami won its previous two games, both of which Messi missed due to a foot injury. First, they beat Toronto FC 3:1, then they defeated Chicago Fire 2:1.
In both of those games, Inter Miami’s backups were brilliant, showing that this team is not a one-man army. In fact, Inter Miami seems to have at least one great player for every position on the pitch.
On top of everything, these guys love playing in front of their fans. At Chase Stadium, they’re 6-2-2 in their last 10 games and are on a 3-win streak at the moment.
Puebla vs. Inter Miami Prediction
We predict goals galore on Saturday. Both teams are very productive offensively, while also conceding plenty of goals. It’s very likely both will score at least one goal on July 27, but which team will score more?
Our pick is Inter Miami. It’s not just that the game is played at Chase Stadium, but it’s also that this team’s been in fantastic form lately.
Pick: Inter Miami
