Preview for Columbus Crew v Inter Miami

Inter Miami will look to strengthen their position near the top of the MLS Eastern Conference when they travel to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field to face Columbus Crew on Sunday night.

The Crew moved up to 13th with a 2-0 win over CF Montreal last weekend, while Miami were held to a 2-2 draw by San Diego FC and remain second in the East on goal difference.

Columbus still have plenty of ground to make up if they are to reach the MLS playoffs for a fourth successive season.

Laurent Courtois’ side are seven points below the play-offs with four teams between them and a place in the post-season, leaving little room for further dropped points.

Columbus have never completed an MLS regular season unbeaten against Miami, but a win or draw on Sunday would change that record for the first time.

Miami’s recent league form has also been below the standards they set earlier in the campaign.

The Herons have gone four MLS matches without a win, drawing their last four fixtures, and three of those games saw them surrender a second-half lead.

That run has seen Miami lose ground on Eastern Conference leaders Nashville, although they remain second and have a chance to strengthen their position in the race for home advantage in the play-offs.

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Team News for Columbus Crew v Inter Miami

Columbus will again be without Wessam Abou Ali, who continues to recover from a cruciate ligament injury.

Chase Adams, Nicholas Hagen, Steven Moreira, Cole Mrowka and Gonzalo Tapia are also unavailable after being called up for international duty.

Inter Miami will be without Tadeo Allende due to a knee injury, while Israel Boatwright remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament problem.

Yannick Bright is suspended after collecting enough yellow cards.

Miami also have several players away with their respective national teams, including Alexander Shaw, Dayne St. Clair, Daniel Pinter, Loven’s Delinois, Matias Galarza, Rodrigo De Paul, Fricio Caicedo and German Berterame.

Expected line-ups for Columbus Crew v Inter Miami

Columbus Crew: Schulte; Farsi, Bailly, Zawadzki, Amundsen; Lennon, Gomes, Habroune, Mendez; Rodriguez, Martinez.

Inter Miami: Rios Novo; Mura, Micael, Falcon, Reguilon; Ayala, Casemiro, Morales; Plambeck, Suarez, Silvetti.

Recent Form & Stats for Columbus Crew v Inter Miami

• Columbus are seven points below the current MLS playoff line.
• The Crew have lost three of their last four home league matches.
• Columbus have dropped 19 points from seven MLS matches in which they scored first this season.
• Miami have drawn their last four MLS matches.
• Miami have scored in each of their last six MLS matches.
• Inter Miami have won three of their last four away meetings with Columbus.
• Lionel Messi leads MLS with 20 goals and 13 assists.

Where to Watch Columbus Crew v Inter Miami: TV and online streams

Columbus Crew v Inter Miami will be shown live in the UK on Apple TV. The match will kick off at 12am BST on Monday, September 28, with the game starting at 7pm ET on Sunday, September 27.

Prediction for Columbus Crew v Inter Miami

Neither side arrives in particularly strong league form, with Columbus fighting to close the gap to the play-off places and Miami looking to end a run of four consecutive draws.

The Crew have home advantage and are coming off a win in Montreal, but Miami’s record in this fixture gives them reason to be confident.

Columbus Crew

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Inter Miami