Two sides that are languishing toward the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference will face off on Wednesday when Inter Miami play host to New York Red Bulls.
Inter Miami are lying at the foot of the table with 15 points to their name, while the visitors are one point better off in 13th position.
Match preview
© Reuters
Inter Miami have struggled in the opening months of their third MLS season, with nine of their 14 matches ending in defeat.
After losing to Nashville SC and Orlando City, Phil Neville's side were given a moment of respite in the US Open Cup.
A 2-1 win over Nashville secured them a place in the quarter-finals, but they were quickly brought down to earth by Montreal at the weekend, falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat in Canada.
Inter Miami have now lost three consecutive MLS games, but they will now return to RV PNK Stadium, where they have won four of their last five games in all competitions.
The hosts will also have fond memories of their last home meeting with the Red Bulls in May 2022 when they ran out 2-0 winners.
© Reuters
New York Red Bulls experienced a recent upturn in fortunes after they ended a seven-game winless run with a 1-0 win over DC United in the US Open Cup earlier this month.
The narrow victory acted as a catalyst for the Red Bulls to pick up seven points from three MLS matches before they suffered a penalty-shootout defeat to Cincinnati in the US Open Cup last-16.
They were unable to bounce back from their cup exit when they made the trip to Lumen Field at the weekend, losing 1-0 to Seattle Sounders following Jordan Morris's first-half effort.
Troy Lesesne's side will head back on their travels for Wednesday's contest, and they will be looking to end the bout of homesickness that has hampered their progress this term, having failed to win any of their eight MLS away games in 2023.
Wednesday's visitors need to improve in the final third if they are to start picking up wins on the road after registering just three away goals in MLS this season.
Team News
© Reuters
Inter Miami are still unable to call upon Gregore and Rodolfo Pizarro due to ankle and hamstring problems respectively, while long-term injury absentee Jean Mora remains in the treatment room.
Wednesday's contest may come too soon for Robbie Robinson, who is closing in on a return following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Josef Martinez dropped down to the bench for Saturday's defeat, but the Venezuela international is expected to feature in the forward line.
As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Kyle Duncan, Steven Sserwadda, Serge Ngoma and Omir Fernandez.
Daniel Edelman is still on international duty in Argentina, where he is representing the USA at the Under-20 World Cup.
After featuring as half-time substitutes against Seattle, Elias Manoel and Wikelman Carmona could be brought into the starting lineup.
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; McVey, Kryvtsov, Miller; Yedlin, Cremaschi, Fray, Arroyo, Negri; Campano, Martinez
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; Harper, S. Nealis, Ndam, D. Nealis; Casseres Jr, Stroud; Barlow, Carmona, Tolkin; Manoel
We say: Inter Miami 2-1 New York Red Bulls
Inter Miami may be propping up the Eastern Conference, but with four wins from their last five competitive home games, they will be hoping to make home advantage count on Wednesday.
The visitors, meanwhile, are searching for their first away win in MLS since beating Montreal in September, and we think that their struggles on the road could play into the hands of Inter Miami.
How to watch
You can watch Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
