Preview:New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami - prediction, team news, lineups

Inter Miami make the trip to New England Revolution on Saturday night in what will be their first MLS fixture since announcing the signing of Lionel Messi.

At a time when the visitors sit bottom of the Eastern Conference, New England are fourth but on one of the worst runs of form in the division.

Match preview

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The departure of Phil Neville as head coach was initially going to be the major talking point ahead of Inter Miami's upcoming MLS contest, yet that has now changed with Messi revealing that he is on his way to Florida.

Supporters will not get to see the Argentine superstar in their shirt until next month at the earliest, but news of his transfer has come at a time when Miami were desperate for a boost.

While Neville posted five wins from 11 league matches at the start of this season, a run of defeats that has also now reached five proved too much to keep him in the dugout any longer.

Interim boss Javier Morales is tasked with the job of moving Inter Miami off the foot of the Eastern Conference standings, although they are just six points adrift of ninth position and a Final Series Playoff spot.

On the back of losing three MLS encounters in succession by a one-goal margin, Inter Miami got back to winning ways on Wednesday with a 1-0 success over Birmingham Legion in the US Open Cup.

Nicolas Stefanelli netted the only goal of the game in the second half, now scoring in his last his last two cup appearances, but Messi's fellow Argentine playmaker has contributed just one strike in MLS during 2023.

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From the perspective of New England Revolution, they are still sitting a respectable fourth place despite failing to prevail in any of their last five league matches.

The gap to runaway leaders FC Cincinnati now stands at 12 points, although Bruce Arena will be more focused on trying to strengthen their hold of a playoff spot.

New England are just four points clear of eighth-placed Orlando City - who possess a game in hand - and pressure is building ahead of hosting the Eastern Conference strugglers.

On a positive note, they kept a clean sheet in a goalless draw at New York City FC last weekend, that stalemate following consecutive 3-3 scorelines.

Team News

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Having replaced Jozy Altidore at half time versus NYCFC, Giacomo Vrioni is in line to earn a recall down the centre of the New England attack.

However, having kept a much-needed clean sheet and recorded a point on their travels, Arena may be prepared to stick with the remainder of the starting XI.

Morales will have to make a change to the Inter Miami defence with Kamal Miller being given an early red card during the 2-1 defeat to DC United.

Ryan Sailor was quickly introduced in the aftermath of that dismissal and is seemingly in line to deputise for Miller on Saturday.

Leonardo Campana is pushing to replace Josef Martinez down the middle of the attack, while Robert Taylor is an option on the right after chipping in with an assist as a substitute last weekend.

New England Revolution possible starting lineup:

Petrovic; Farrell, Romney, Makoun, Jones; Blessing, Polster, Gil, Boateng; Wood, Vrioni

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Callender; Yedlin, Kryvstov, Sailor, Negri; Ruiz, Arroyo; Taylor, Cremaschi, Stefanelli; Campana

We say: New England Revolution 2-1 Inter Miami

With it being open to perception whether the news of Messi's pending arrival will act as a catalyst or distraction, it is unclear whether the visitors will be capable of turning around their form in this match.

On that note, the best bet may be a narrow victory for the hosts, who have proven tough to beat despite their drop in standards.

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