Preview: DC United vs Inter Miami - prediction, team news, lineups

Returning to domestic duty after their Leagues Cup triumph over Tigres, Inter Miami head to Audi Field on Sunday for a Major League Soccer matchup against an out-of-sorts DC United outfit.

The home side currently sit bottom of the Eastern Conference heading into the final seven rounds of regular-season matches, while the visitors remain firmly in contention to secure top spot in the West.

Match preview

Inter Miami took a giant step towards reclaiming their Leagues Cup crown last time out, defeating Liga MX outfit Tigres UANL 2-1 on Thursday to advance to an all-MLS semi-final.

A pair of Luis Suarez penalties in either half got the job done for Javier Mascherano's men, who once again had to make do with the absence of star man Lionel Messi despite his return to action against Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.

Now on a run of five wins from their last six matches, the Herons are seven points shy of FC Cincinnati at the top of the Western Conference, albeit with three games in hand, giving them a strong chance of winning back-to-back Supporters' Shields.

Since losing their first four meetings against DC United, Inter Miami have turned a corner in this fixture, going unbeaten in five of the subsequent six clashes, during which they have won three, including each of the last two.

Going up against the side with the most goals conceded in the MLS this term, Inter Miami will be looking to put on another attacking masterclass, having scored the joint-most goals in the division (53) alongside Orlando City.

Ahead of their Leagues Cup last-four encounter on Thursday, Sunday's visitors are back on the road where they were comprehensively thrashed 4-1 by Orlando City most recently.

After finishing just outside the playoff places on goal difference in the 2024 season, DC United headed into the new campaign with optimism and went unbeaten across their opening four league matches.

However, things have since gone from bad to worse for the Eagles, who parted ways with Troy Lesesne back in June after a 5-2 defeat to Nashville from being two goals up, with Kevin Flanagan taking the reins temporarily.

The arrival of Flanagan has failed to spark a revival for DC United off the back of seven consecutive defeats under their interim manager, and it is no surprise that Rene Weiler was recently hired to steady the ship.

Weiler led his new employers to a 1-1 stalemate against Montreal to end an eight-game losing streak, but his next assignment will be to secure a first win for DC United since June 1.

DC United's poor showing this term has yielded just 20 points from 27 matches, the joint-fewest in the division alongside Montreal.

Conceding the opening goal has proven to be a major Achilles' heel for Sunday's hosts, who have been breached first in six of their last seven outings, and a repeat of that this weekend will make an already difficult task even more complicated.

DC United Major League Soccer form:

DC United form (all competitions):

Inter Miami Major League Soccer form:

Inter Miami form (all competitions):

Team News

Attacking duo Joao Peglow and Kristian Fletcher are both ruled out for DC United with knee injuries, while Randall Leal remains unavailable due to a leg problem.

Hosei Kijima is set to miss a second straight game for the hosts due to a thigh issue, although the Japanese is not far off a return to action.

Jackson Hopkins finally opened his MLS account on his 56th appearance last time out and will be looking to pick up where he left off.

First-choice goalkeeper Drake Callender is still sidelined with a groin problem, meaning that Oscar Ustari is set to retain his place between the sticks.

Ian Fray and Jordi Alba both came off with injury problems en route to Inter Miami's triumph over Tigres, making them doubtful to feature here.

Lionel Messi's availability also continues to hang in the balance, and it is unlikely he will be involved right from the start this weekend if at all.

DC United possible starting lineup:

Barraza; Schnegg, Rowles, MacNaughton, Antley; Hopkins, Servania, Peltola, Herrera; Pirani, Benteke

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Ustari; Weigandt, Falcon, Lujan, Allen; Busquets, Cremaschi; Allende, Segovia, Picault; Suarez

We say: DC United 1-3 Inter Miami

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Lionel Messi's fitness for this one, Inter Miami should have enough about themselves to conveniently see off DC United, and we can see the visitors running out routine winners when all is said and done.

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