We know it’s hard to take eyes off the UEFA Champions League but you might wanna take a look at this one. With the MLS playoffs race intensifying, Inter Miami will travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday to lock horns against Atlanta United. The last time both sides faced each other saw Lionel Messi and Co. endure a 1-3 defeat at their home.

Now Tata Martino and Co. have a perfect chance to settle the score and clinch the crucial three points. The Herons are currently sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference with a tally of 62, over 10 points clear of second-placed Cincinnati. They enter this fixture by having clinched an easy 3-1 victory over Philadelphia.

On the other hand, Atlanta United aren’t having the best of their season. They are currently sitting at the 10th with just 31 points in hand. That’s not all, as Rob Valentino and Co.’s qualification hopes for the MLS playoffs are also at stake.

Worry takes a double fold knowing that they have failed to find the back of the net in three of their last four matches in all competitions.

Atlanta United Vs Inter Miami: Team news

Injuries

Atlanta United

Defender Ronald Hernandez remains out for the fixture because of an ankle blow. Joining the Venezuelan would also be Xande Silva as the midfielder continues to nurse his foot injury. Moreover, reserve goalie Quentin Westberg would also not make the bench because of a head injury, as he continues to wait over the concussion protocol.

Luckily, Ajani Fortune played 71 minutes after missing time earlier in the campaign because of a knock, while Tristan Muyumba also returned to the lineup on Saturday after recovering from a knock, coming on as a second-half substitute for Bartosz Slisz.

Inter Miami

After an absence of over two months, Lionel Messi finally made his much-anticipated return. He even announced it by scoring a brace in the previous fixture. However, medical issues still persist concerning other players. Starting with the defender duo of Facundo Farías and Nicolás Freire, who continue to nurse their knee injury.

Joining the recuperation room are Leo Afonso and David Martinez, as the pair are sidelined with groin injuries, while CJ dos Santos remains out because of a hand issue. Midfielder Matías Rojas is also out of the equation because of an ankle blow with Noah Allen also waiting over his clearance for concussion protocol after sustaining a knock in the head. Meanwhile, nothing positive can be said about Diego Gomez, who remains questionable over a hamstring issue.

Predicted lineups

Atlanta United [4-2-3-1]: Guzan; Lennon, Rode Gregersen, Abram, Amador; Slisz, McCarty; Lobzhanidze, Miranchuk, Mosquera; Rios.

Inter Miami [4-3-3]: Callender; Weigandt, Kryvtsov, Fray, Alba; Gressel, Ruiz, Redondo; Messi, Suarez, Taylor.

Head-to-head stats in MLS and prediction

Total matches: 13

Won by Atlanta United: 5

Won by Inter Miami: 5

Draw: 3

Both sides have given tough competition to each other in the past. That surely remains the case in this fixture as well. Even though Miami is in hot red form, that won’t stop Atlanta from annoying the visitors. Yet, that wouldn’t be enough, as Tata Martino should easily take 3 points back home. We reckon the score will be Atlanta United 1-2 Inter Miami.

Watch Atlanta United vs Inter Miami on TV Channel and livestream

Atlanta United vs Inter Miami will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans in the United States and the United Kingdom can watch the action live on Apple TV (MLS Season Pass).