As he has so many times before, Lionel Messi will look to rescue Inter Miami from a deficit in Cup action as the Herons face the daunting task of a road CONCACAF Champions Cup game in Mexico.
Inter Miami trail 2-1 on aggregate after the first quarterfinal leg, as Monterrey took advantage of David Ruiz’s second-half dismissal to score twice in the final 20 minutes. Messi’s side requires a result, knowing they not only trail on aggregate but also conceded the two away goals to Monterrey, which is still the chief tie-breaker in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Messi missed that home leg due to injury, but after coming off the bench for the second half of their weekend draw with the Colorado Rapids, he is expected to be fit enough to start in this all-important continental game. Inter Miami have suffered defeat just once in games Messi has started since he joined last summer, but his availability has been consistently suspect.
MLS clubs have had a brutal time in Mexico across recent years in this competition. The last victory by an MLS club over a Liga MX opponent on the road came in February of 2019 when Sporting KC beat Toluca 2-0 in the Round of 16. Since then, MLS clubs have suffered 14 defeats and two draws on Mexican soil, all to a combined scoreline of 46-7.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along with highlights & commentary as Inter Miami visit Monterrey
Inter Miami vs Monterrey prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean:Â Monterrey (+145)
- Score prediction:Â Inter Miami 1-3 Monterrey
Inter Miami should have Messi back, but the task of playing on the road in Mexico has been far too much for MLS clubs in recent years, and it will again be too tall a mountain to climb.
While the health of Tata Martino’s squad is slowly improving, there are still too many key players with fitness concerns. Monterrey are as strong an opponent as they’ll face all year, and in a viciously hostile environment knowing they need to push forward and get goals, they’ll be too open at the back.
| Â | DraftKings (USA) |
| Monterrey win (90 mins) |
+145 |
| Draw (90 mins) |
+285 |
| Inter Miami win (90 mins) |
+165 |
| Both teams to score Y/N |
Y: -225 N: +175 |
| Over / Under 3.5 goals |
O: +130 U:Â -160 |
| Monterrey to advance |
-450 |
| Inter Miami to advance |
+275 |
Inter Miami vs Monterrey match facts
- Date:Â Wednesday, April 10, 2024
- Kickoff Time:Â 8:30Â p.m. local (10:30Â p.m. ET / 7:30Â p.m. PT)
- Location:Â Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
- Referee:Â Ivan Barton (SLV)
- Last meeting: Inter Miami 1-2 Monterrey (Apr. 3, 2024 | CONCACAF Champions Cup)
MORE: Click here to see the latest odds for Inter Miami vs Monterrey and bet Champions Cup matches
Inter Miami vs Monterrey best bet
- Pick:Â Over 2.5 total goals
- Odds:Â -150 (DraftKings)
Taking the over in an Inter Miami match, especially one in which Lionel Messi participates, is always a positive idea. The Herons are open at the back, and while Monterrey needed 75 minutes and a red card to create their first goal in South Florida, they are well equipped to punish Inter Miami for mistakes, as they did after David Ruiz was sent off.
Messi is always a threat to score, and Monterrey could be pressed to find a response in front of their home fans. They should have plenty of chances to do just that, and as there’s little value on both teams to score, this is the better option.Â
Inter Miami vs Monterrey prop bet
- Pick:Â Monterrey to win 2H
- Odds:Â +160 (DraftKings)
Inter Miami start games very well, as they did at home in the first leg and as they’ve done all throughout Lionel Messi’s time with the MLS club. Yet as this game goes on, and Monterrey know they just have to hold on to secure their place in the semifinals, Inter Miami will have to open up, leaving themselves exposed at the back in the process.
Watch Inter Miami vs Monterrey: live stream, TV channel
- Date:Â Wed, Apr. 11, 2024
- Time:Â 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT
- TV channel (USA):Â FS1 (English), TUDN (Spanish)
- Streaming (USA):Â Fubo, FoxSports.com, TUDN app/website
Fox Sports holds the English-language broadcast rights to CONCACAF competitions in the United States. Therefore, this match will be televised in English across the United States on FS1. There is also a Spanish-language broadcast available on TUDN.
Both channels are available to stream on Fubo, with a FREE trial available for new users. There is also streaming on the dedicated in-house apps and platforms for both broadcast partners.