The champions are back! After winning the Supporters Shield, Inter Miami once again returns to action for their first MLS playoffs clash against Atlanta United. The Herons will be taking on the Five Stripes at the Chase Stadium on Friday, October 25. Either side would be eager to win the game in order to cement their chances of the MLS Cup run.

Inter Miami is coming off an emphatic 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution. While the first half saw Luis Suarez inspire an emphatic comeback to level the score 2-2, a second-half strike from Benjamin Cremaschi and Lionel Messi coming off the bench to score a brilliant 11-minute hattrick saw them secure his historic victory. This also led them to break the MLS regular-season points record, finishing their 2024 campaign with 74 points. Ironically, this achievement came in a match against New England, the former record holder with 73 points.

On the other hand, Atlanta United doesn’t look to be giving up easily. They managed to make the playoffs by inches, finishing 9th in the Eastern Conference, thanks to a better goal difference than 10th-placed DC United despite being tied at 40 points with them. In fact, Rob Valentino’s side is entering the match after winning their wild-card round against 8th-placed Eastern Conference side Montreal. A 2-2 draw was taken to penalties which Atlanta managed to win with a score of 4-5.

Inter Miami vs Atlanta United: Team news

Injuries

Inter Miami

The team is dealing with a few injury issues ahead of the match. David Martinez is recovering from a groin injury and is expected to return by late October. Similarly, C. Dos Santos is sidelined with a hand injury, and Leonardo Afonso is also out due to a groin injury, with a potential return around late October. Nicolas Freire remains a long-term absentee after suffering a season-ending ACL injury

Atlanta United

Rob Valentino won’t be able to have just two players at his disposal. First is midfielder Edwin Mosquera, who will be out due to a knee injury. Second on the list is goalkeeper Quentin Westberg, who is rather out due to an obligatory concussion protocol. Luckily, the rest of the team is fit and can face Lionel Messi and Co.

Predicted lineups

Inter Miami [4-3-3]: Callender; Weigandt, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Alba; Gomez, Busquets, Rojas; Gressel, Suarez, Messi.

Atlanta United [4-2-3-1]: Guzan; Hernandez, Rode Gregersen, Williams, Amador; Slisz, Fortune; Lennon, Miranchuk, Lobzhanidze; Thiare.

Head-to-head stats and prediction

Total matches: 14

Won by Inter Miami: 5

Won by Atlanta United: 5

Draw: 4

We know Tata Martino and Co. are favorites for this one but we can’t deny the quality of Rob Valentino’s side, who may be looking to surprise the Florida side. Either way, we believe Lionel Messi and Co. will be able to find themselves on the winning shore. The score will be Inter Miami 3-1 Atlanta United.

Watch Inter Miami vs Atlanta United MLS playoffs on TV Channels and livestream

Inter Miami vs Atlanta United will kick off at 20:30 ET. Fans in the US can catch the action live on Apple TV with an MLS season pass, or stream it on FS1, Fubo, Fox Deportes, and Sling TV. Meanwhile, UK fans have fewer options, with Apple TV’s MLS season pass being the primary way to watch the game live.