Preview: Inter Miami vs. Toronto - prediction, team news, lineups

Inter Miami and Toronto will face each other on Wednesday in the MLS, in a contest which sees two sides who have endured disappointing seasons meet.

With five games left to play, Inter Miami are nine points off a playoff spot, while Toronto's playoff hopes are already over, having only collected 25 points this season.

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Match preview

Inter Miami are struggling in their second season in the MLS, with Phil Neville's side currently occupying 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

With only 15 points left to play for, Inter Miami's playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after losing their last six games.

In those six matches, they conceded 16 goals and only found the net on one occasion, which means they enter Wednesday's contest low on confidence.

In their last outing, Inter Miami played their fourth consecutive away game, which saw Columbus Crew run out 4-0 winners.

They do return to home surroundings for the Toronto clash, but worryingly their previous two home games resulted in two heavy defeats - a 4-0 loss to New York Red Bulls and a 5-1 defeat to Nashville SC.

Toronto's season has been disappointing, with the Canadian side already out of the playoff picture, and their main focus will be on the Canadian Championship.

If they manage to win that competition, they will book a place in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, but they must get past Pacific FC in the semi-finals first.

Before that important semi-final encounter, Toronto will play four MLS games, with the aim to build momentum and confidence ahead of the Pacific FC clash.

The defence has been a major issue for Toronto, who have conceded more goals than any other team in the MLS this season, with the Canadian side shipping 56 goals.

Javier Perez's side saw an unbeaten five-match run in all competitions end at the weekend, when Toronto lost 2-0 to Atlanta United, but three victories in their last five MLS games will give them some confidence heading into the contest with Inter Miami.

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Team News

Inter Miami are without Ryan Shawcross and Joevin Jones, who have back and knee problems respectively.

Victor Ulloa, Ventura Alvarado and Ian Fray are all still unavailable due to injury.

Phil Neville will continue with Christian Makoun in the back three, after the defender returned from international duty to start against Columbus Crew last time out.

Toronto will be without Chris Mavinga, Dominic Dwyer and Tsubasa Endoh, who are all out with abdominal issues, while Jordan Perruzza is unavailable with a back problem.

In more positive news, Jozy Altidore and Alejandro Pozuelo returned from injuries to make substitute appearances against Atlanta, and Pozuelo could come into the starting lineup, while Altidore may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Auro Jr. was sent off against Atlanta, which means that Perez may have to reshuffle the defence, and that could result in Eriq Zavaleta coming into the backline.

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Marsman; Gonzalez, Leerdam, Makoun; Morgan, Vassilev, Gregore, Matuidi, Shea; Robinson, Higuain

Toronto possible starting lineup:

Bono; Laryea, Gonzalez, Zavaleta, Lawrence; Delgado, Bradley, Osorio; Pozuelo, Shaffelburg, Soteldo

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We say: Inter Miami 1-2 Toronto

Inter Miami have won the last two meetings between the sides, but they enter this encounter in poor form, and we think Toronto will prevail in this contest to claim a narrow victory.

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