Preview: Inter Miami vs Pumas - prediction, team news, lineups

Inter Miami can book their place in the Leagues Cup quarter-finals with a win on Wednesday when they welcome Pumas to Chase Stadium on the final group matchday for both teams.

Over the weekend, the Herons came back to defeat Necaxa on penalties, as they sit third in the MLS group, while Pumas are fifth on the Liga MX side following a dramatic 3-2 win over Atlanta United.

Match preview

Nearly everything went against them on matchday two, yet Inter Miami somehow found a way to fight back and put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the last eight.

Down to 10 men on 17 minutes after losing their captain to an injury before that was a less-than-ideal scenario for the Herons, though they persevered with an equaliser in second-half stoppage time, earning an extra point in the shootout.

That extended the unbeaten run for Javier Mascherano’s side to four matches across all competitions, and they remain without a Leagues Cup loss at Chase Stadium.

Although Saturday was the first time they failed to claim maximum points at home in the group phase, Miami have netted multiple times in each of their group games in Fort Lauderdale.

This side have never exited this tournament in the group stage, something that may happen should they fail to win this upcoming fixture within 90 minutes, as the Los Angeles Galaxy are fifth and just a point below them.

Miami have won three of their four Leagues Cup affairs against Mexican teams in normal time, while netting a second-half stoppage time goal in three of those matches.

Another drama-filled game went the way of Pumas this past weekend, putting them in the hunt for a third successive trip into the knockout phase of this tournament.

It was the second straight time that they were behind after 45 minutes, though they managed to turn it around again with two goals in the second half, as the winner on Saturday arrived in the 89th minute.

While they came away with maximum points, Efrain Juarez’s men are on the outside of the knockout stage right now in fifth, tied with Toluca, Mazatlan and Juarez on five points, though those three sides currently hold the tiebreaker.

Six of this team's last nine goals scored in this competition have occurred in the final 45 minutes of play, with Pumas netting three times in the 80th minute or beyond.

The club from Mexico City have emerged victorious from their previous three competitive fixtures but have claimed just one normal time triumph in their last five Leagues Cup affairs.

Universitarios have won all four of their matches played in this competition versus MLS opponents from the Eastern Conference, including a 4-3 shootout win in Florida on matchday one against Orlando City, levelling that match at 1-1 in the 80th minute.

Inter Miami Leagues Cup form:

Inter Miami form (all competitions):

Pumas Leagues Cup form:

Pumas form (all competitions):

Team News

On the Miami side, there are huge questions surrounding captain Lionel Messi, who left after just 11 minutes on Saturday with an upper right leg injury, with the club saying the following day that his clinical progress and response to treatment will dictate whether he plays.

Also questionable will be Allen Obando, Oscar Ustari and Baltasar Rodriguez due to hamstring strains, though the latter was on the bench this past weekend.

Ian Fray is doubtful because of an adductor issue, Drake Callender is recovering from a sports hernia injury and Maximiliano Falcon is out with a red card suspension.

Rodrigo De Paul set up both Miami goals on Saturday from Telasco Segovia and Jordi Alba, allowing Rocco Rios Novo to be the hero, stopping one penalty in the shootout to give the Herons an extra point.

As for Pumas, they had the same starting 11 from matchday one to two, but introduced two new faces off the bench Saturday with Santiago Trigos and Misael Torres coming on as substitutes.

It was an uneventful match for Keylor Navas against Atlanta as the Costa Rican goalkeeper was credited with an own goal in the opening half and was sent off in second-half stoppage time, meaning he will miss this pivotal clash.

Alvaro Aniyver Angulo Mosquera netted the opening goal for them on Saturday, while Adalberto Carrasquilla scored twice in the final 45 minutes, following up his penalty miss with the winner a minute before the 90.

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Novo; Weigandt, Aviles, Allen, Alba; De Paul, Busquets; Allende, Segovia, Picault; Suarez

Pumas possible starting lineup:

Lara; Bennevendo, Nathan, Duarte, Angulo; Carrasquilla, Caicedo; Lopez, Vite, Ruvalcaba; Martinez

We say: Inter Miami 2-1 Pumas

Even without Messi, something dramatic and magical always seems to happen for Miami when we least expect it, and we believe that will be the case once again on matchday three.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.