Lionel Messi is 90 minutes away from winning his first championship in the United States. Ahead of the 2023 Leagues Cup Final, we look at Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami odds and Lionel Messi props, and we offer a few predictions for Saturday’s encounter.
One month after signing with MLS club Inter Miami CF, former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi has taken the Leagues Cup by storm with a tournament-leading nine goals. Oddsmakers immediately took notice of the World Cup champion’s move to the United States, and odds are constantly changing. The Argentine forward has scored in six consecutive matches – paying out as an anytime scorer every game he’s played.
We’ve advised you to take Messi as an anytime scorer and identified value in taking Miami to win with both teams’ scoring. Could the same be expected when Nashville SC welcomes its fellow 2020 MLS expansion side as both clubs vie to lift their first-ever trophy?
Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami Odds Leagues Cup Match
Here are Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami betting lines found at the best sports betting apps.
The moneyline odds here reflect the three-way bet, where a wager on either team settles as a loss if the game ends in a tie. As of Tuesday morning, FanDuel offers +290 odds on the draw, though it’s always advisable to shop around several sportsbooks to find the best odds for the bet you wish to make.
SOCCER · Sat (8/19) @ 9:00 pm ET
| Inter Miami | at | Nashville SC |
| Geodis Park, Nashville, TN | ||
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Nashville SC Leagues Cup Roster, Injuries & Betting News
Moving up to MLS from the second-division USL Championship, Nashville had a different road to the U.S. top division than its 2020 expansion counterpart Miami. After playing its first two seasons at the NFL stadium, the club moved to its own building last year with the opening of Geodis Park.
Nashville has one of the most electric atmospheres in MLS when its stadium is at 30,000 capacity. The culture of Music City has been incorporated in several ways with crowd celebration from goals recorded in-stadium on a vinyl record.
Retired English footballer Gary Smith has been the only head coach of the club and has complimented one of the better defensive teams in the league with the offense of his MVP star. Smith led the Colorado Rapids to an MLS Cup title in 2010 and has Nashville one game away from its first championship.
Roster
Reigning MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar is the star of Nashville SC and currently leads the league with 13 goals. The German attacking midfielder is the spark of his team’s offense and is also capable of supplying assists, leading his team with eight.
Offseason acquisition Fafa Picault is second on the list with goals, providing width in the attack. Picault, now representing Haiti internationally, is one of several former or active U.S. men’s national team players on the Nashville roster along with defenders Shaq Moore, Walker Zimmerman, Daniel Lovitz, midfielder Dax McCarty, and forward Teal Bunbury. Moore and Zimmerman were part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad last November.
Canadians Lukas MacNaughton and Jacob Shaffelburg, Costa Rican Randall Leal, and Panamanian Aníbal Godoy are some that round out the international supporting cast. Recent arrival Sam Surridge scored in the previous encounter. Young goalkeeper Elliot Panicco got the start in the semifinal over Monterrey but don’t be surprised if you see Joe Willis, the club’s usual starter, in goal.
Injuries
Doubtful: Randall Leal (ankle), Jacob Shaffelburg (right leg)
Inter Miami Leagues Cup Roster, Injuries & Betting News
Inter Miami CF is on a completely different trajectory since the arrival of Lionel Messi. Holders of the worst MLS record, the month-long pause for the Leagues Cup, the international club tournament involving MLS and Liga MX, has given the Florida side an opportunity to reset and retool.
Former Barcelona, Argentina, Atlanta United, and Mexico national team head coach Gerardo Martino has started to transform this Miami contingent with his style of soccer. The arrivals of former Barça stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have helped as well as the trust with coach Martino, who led Messi’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys to an Argentine league title and won MLS Cup 2018 with Atlanta United.
The Miami rebuild continues with an additional $15.5 million spent on transfers for young South American players. Facundo Farias is one of the signings who has joined the gameday squad and more are expected, with rumors of another former Barcelona great Luis Suarez a potential arrival for next season.
Roster
Aside from the ex-Barcelona trio, Miami has a few players that have found success in MLS. Josef Martinez had the best season of any MLS goalscorer when he set a new season scoring record in 2018, bettered by one goal a year later by LAFC’s Carlos Vela, and Leonardo Campana was one of the team’s top scorers last season.
Finnish forward Robert Taylor is a new player, bagging goals and assists with Messi’s arrival. Young players in Benjamin Cremaschi, 18, and David Ruiz, 19, have had their growth skyrocket with goals in this Leagues Cup and the level of excellence lifted in training.
In defense, Miami counts on the likes of 2022 MLS All-Star and Canada national team defender Kamal Miller, plus U.S. men’s national team and former Newcastle United right-back DeAndre Yedlin. Rising goalkeeper Drake Callender is the man between the sticks and a player who will likely continue to receive U.S. call-ups for his recent play.
Injuries
Out: Gregore (Lisfranc), Franco Negri (ACL), Jean Mota (LCL), Corentin Jean (ACL), Nicolas Stefanelli (leg), Ian Fray (ACL)
Lionel Messi Goalscorer Props + More Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami Wagering Options
Below is a sampling of props for Saturday’s Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami Leagues Cup game. Lionel Messi is an odds-on favorite to score, which he has done in every Leagues Cup appearance, but there are plus-money odds in betting on him scoring first and last, and he has paid off on at least one of those in each of his first five matches.
To Lift The Cup (FanDuel)
- Nashville SC +142
- Inter Miami CF -168
Anytime Goalscorer (FanDuel):
- Lionel Messi (MIA) -195
- Josef Martinez (MIA) +115
- Hany Mukhtar (NSH) +125
- Sam Surridge (NSH) +210
- Leonardo Campana (MIA) +230
- Fafa Picault (NSH) +270
- Robert Taylor (MIA) +280
- Teal Bunbury (NSH) +280
- Jacob Shaffelburg (NSH) +360
- Randall Leal (NSH) +370
- Benjamin Cremaschi (MIA) +390
- Facundo Farias (MIA) +380
- Sergio Busquets (MIA) +700
- Walker Zimmerman (NSH) +700
- David Ruiz (MIA) +950
- Dax McCarty (NSH) +1100
- Jordi Alba (MIA) +1300
- Kamal Miller (MIA) +1400
- Anibal Godoy (NSH) +1400
- Shaq Moore (NSH) +2500
- Daniel Lovitz (NSH) +2700
- DeAndre Yedlin (MIA) +2700
First Goalscorer (FanDuel):
- Lionel Messi (MIA) +195
- Josef Martinez (MIA) +320
- Hany Mukhtar (NSH) +440
- Sam Surridge (NSH) +700
- Leonardo Campana (MIA) +750
- Fafa Picault (NSH) +900
- Robert Taylor (MIA) +900
- Teal Bunbury (NSH) +900
- Jacob Shaffelburg (NSH) +1200
- Randall Leal (NSH) +1200
- Benjamin Cremaschi (MIA) +1200
- Facundo Farias (MIA) +1200
- Sergio Busquets (MIA) +2100
- Walker Zimmerman (NSH) +2100
- David Ruiz (MIA) +2800
- Dax McCarty (NSH) +3000
- Anibal Godoy (NSH) +3600
- Kamal Miller (MIA) +3700
- Jordi Alba (MIA) +3800
- DeAndre Yedlin (MIA) +6500
- Daniel Lovitz (NSH) +7000
- Shaq Moore (NSH) +7000
Correct Score (Bet365):
- Nashville 1-0: +1400
- Nashville 2-0: +2000
- Nashville 2-1: +1100
- Nashville 3-0: +4000
- Miami 1-0: +1100
- Miami 2-0: +1100
- Miami 2-1: +800
- Miami 3-0: +1600
- 0-0: +2000
- 1-1: +750
- 2-2: +1200
- 3-3: +3300
Over/Under Total Goals (Bet365):
- Over 0.5 goals -6600, Under 0.5 goals: +2000
- Over 1.5 goals -700, Under 1.5 goals: +450
- Over 2.5 goals -211, Under 2.5 goals: +160
- Over 3.5 goals +120, Under 3.5 goals: -163
- Over 4.5 goals +275, Under 4.5 goals: -400
- Over 5.5 goals +600, Under 5.5 goals: -1000
Messi to score (Bet365):
- Anytime Goalscorer: -125
- First Goalscorer: +187
- Last Goalscorer: +187
- Two or more goals: +150
- Three or more goals: +500
- Goal Method – Header: +2200
- Goal Method – Outside the Box: +333
Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami Prediction
Certainly, surprises can happen in a one-game final and that’s one of the things Nashville SC will cling to among its possibilities to win. Hosting the final in one of MLS’ passionate fan environments could also help, depending on their fans turning out or selling their tickets for hundreds on the tempting re-sale market.
Of course, the biggest advantage Nashville has is fielding the reigning MLS MVP in Hany Mukhtar. Inter Miami will argue that point by fielding the world’s best player.
It’s hard to see Miami end a dominating run abruptly. For that reason, back the Herons to win and Messi to lift his first trophy with the MLS side.
Here are a few bets that are worth considering:
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Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami Broadcast Info: Where to Watch
- Date/Time: Saturday, August 19, 9:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Geodis Park
Watch this match at one of the following:
- MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English/Spanish)
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