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

With Lionel Messi back in contention, MLS' Inter Miami are set to welcome Liga MX club Tigres to Chase Stadium on Thursday for the quarter-final of the Leagues Cup.

The Herons will be looking to make it five wins from six games in midweek, while Los Auriazules will be aiming to bounce back from defeat last time out.

Match preview

Inter Miami won the Leagues cup in 2023, and after missing out to Columbus Crew last year, they have their sights set on recovering their crown in 2025 under Javier Mascherano.

On their way to the quarter-finals, the Herons won all three of their league phase games, beating Pumas 3-1 on August 7, courtesy of goals from Luis Suarez, Tadeo Allende and recent arrival Rodrigo de Paul.

However, Mascherano's side failed to secure top spot in the league phase given that they needed a penalty shootout to complete their dramatic comeback against Necaxa, leaving them with eight points.

This past Sunday, Inter Miami got back to winning ways in MLS with a 3-1 victory over LA Galaxy, and while Messi did not start owing to a hamstring injury, he still found the back of the net late on.

That victory extended the Herons' unbeaten streak when playing as the nominal home team to 10 matches across all competitions, and such resilience is sure to be an asset in the knockout stages of the cup.

Meanwhile, Guido Pizarro's Tigres reached the final eight of the Leagues Cup by finishing third in the Liga MX side of the league phase table.

In 2024, Los Auriazules beat Inter Miami 2-1 in the group stage, but they were later eliminated in the round of 16 by New York City FC.

Last time out in the competition, Pizarro's men followed up their 4-1 win over Houston Dynamo and 2-1 victory against San Diego FC with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Los Angeles FC on August 6.

Former Atletico Madrid star Angel Correa has netted four goals across their three matches so far, and he is sure to be a threat once again after he continued his fine goalscoring form by scoring in a 7-0 win against Puebla.

If Tigres can find their way past Mascherano's side, they will be hoping to go one step further than they did in 2019 when they lost 2-1 in the final against Cruz Azul, but they will have to defy their dire travelling form considering that they have only won one of their last nine games as the nominal away team.

Inter Miami Leagues Cup form:

Inter Miami form (all competitions):

Tigres Leagues Cup form:

Tigres form (all competitions):

Team News

Inter Miami's Messi returned from a hamstring injury against LA Galaxy, but Mascherano avoided starting the Argentinian captain with a view to using him from kickoff on Wednesday.

Likewise, summer signing Rodrigo de Paul did not start last time out, and he should make the XI on Thursday after resolving some lingering visa issues.

As for Tigres, defensive midfielder Bernardo Parra is a doubt for this match, and if he is unavailable, then Juan Brunetta and Fernando Gorriaran should operate in a double pivot.

Similarly, right-sided forward Uriel Antuna is reportedly no longer considered to be part of Pizarro's plans, and Diego Lainez is poised start out wide.

In the backline, there are also question marks about the fitness of versatile left-sided defender Jesus Angulo, and Jesus Garza could line up at left-back on Thursday.

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Rios Novo; Weigandt, Lujan, Falcon, Alba; Bright, Busquets; Messi, De Paul, Segovia; Suarez

Tigres possible starting lineup:

Guzman; Aquino, Zwarg, Sanchez, Garza; Brunetta, Gorriaran; Lainez, Correa, Herrera; Gignac