Fresh off the back of crashing out of the US Open Cup, Inter Miami go head to head with Portland Timbers at the DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday.
The visitors, on the other hand, head into the weekend without a win in any of their last five away games and will be looking to end this dry spell.
Match preview
© Reuters
Inter Miami were dumped out of the US Open Cup in the round of 16 as they were beaten on penalties by Orlando City when the sides squared off on Thursday morning.
Following a scoreless 90 minutes, Jean Mota and Facundo Torres scored for either side in the first half of extra time to take the game to penalties where the Lions claimed a 4-2 victory.
With their cup dreams over, Inter Miami now turn their attention to the MLS, where they ended their five-game winless run last Sunday when Ariel Lassiter and Robert Taylor netted to hand them a 2-0 victory over New York Red Bulls on home turf.
Phil Neville's men are now unbeaten in each of their most recent five home outings, picking up four wins and one draw while scoring 12 goals and conceding eight since a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Houston Dynamo on April 3.
Inter Miami have now won four, drawn three and lost six of their 13 MLS games to collect 15 points and sit 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, level on points with ninth-placed New England Revolution.
© Reuters
Elsewhere, Portland Timbers were condemned to a second consecutive defeat last time out when they were beaten 2-0 by a rampant Philadelphia Union side at the Providence Park.
Despite seeing less than 35% of the back possession and being on the back foot for most of the game, goals in either half from Daniel Gazdag and Sergio Santos saw the visitors walk away with all three points.
The Timbers head into the weekend winless in all but one of their last eight matches — losing four and picking up three draws — with a commanding 7-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City on May 15 being the only exception.
Giovanni Savarese's side have also failed to taste victory in any of their most recent five outings on the road across all competitions, losing three and picking up two draws, while managing just one win in their last nine since the turn of the year.
With 15 points from 15 games, Portland Timbers are currently 10th in the Western Conference standings, four points and four places above rock-bottom Vancouver Whitecaps.
- W
- L
- L
- D
- D
- W
- L
- W
- D
- D
- W
- L
- D
- L
- D
- W
- L
- L
- L
- D
- L
- W
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Inter Miami will be without the American defensive duo of Brek Shea and Ian Fray, who are recuperating from shoulder and ACL injuries respectively.
Dutch goalkeeper Nick Marsman is set to sit out his seventh consecutive game after picking up a back problem against New England Revolution on May 1 meaning 24-year-old Drake Callender will retain his spot between the sticks.
Another name on the Herons' injury list is George Acosta, who has been out of action since coming off injured in March's 5-1 defeat at the hands of Austin FC.
As for Portland Timbers, Savarese will be unable to call upon Chilean forward Felipe Mora, who is yet to feature this year after suffering a severe knee injury back in December.
George Fochive is currently recuperating from a hip problem, while fellow countryman Diego Gutierrez continues his long journey to full fitness after picking up an injury in March's game versus Austin.
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; Ulloa, Lowe, Sailor, Mcvey; Mota, Gregore, Duke; Vassilev, Campana, Taylor
Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Bonilla, Zuparic, Tuiloma, Rasmussen; Chara, Paredes; Chara, Loria, Moreno; Fogaca
We say: Inter Miami 2-1 Portland Timbers
Inter Miami will head into the weekend looking to restore some pride following their gruesome cup exit last time out. They take on a Portland Timbers side who have struggled for results on the road this season and we are tipping them to claim all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
