Inter Miami are toppers of the MLS table currently to almost everyone’s surprise. Even though the game is ahead, it is a pleasant sight for the club’s fans, considering where they finished last year. But the club cannot slumber at this point where exactly things took a turn last year. It was game week 3 that Miami started to slip down the table crash landing at 14th. Now, here they are in the presence of one of the best in the world, Lionel Messi, to make a difference as the club is ready to take on Orlando City FC in the Florida derby on Saturday.

Orlando, despite losing the League’s Cup tie to Miami last year, will have their morale high finishing 2nd in the eastern conference. With Inter Miami sneaking out, a narrow escape against LA Galaxy will provide a battle worth fighting. But how do the two teams stand against each other in terms of lineups, stats, and other parameters? Let’s have a look.

Inter Miami vs. Orlando City FC: All you need to know

Injury news

Inter Miami: The club’s key young gun Facundo Farias was ruled out for almost the entire season due to an ACL in January. Both Ian Fray and Franco Negri are also out with ACL and Nicolas Freire due to muscle issues. However, the club does not have any concerns after the start of the tournament per se. Meanwhile, their midfielder Diego Gomez was seen leaving the field in discomfort after the game against LA. But Tata Martino informed the press that it wasn’t serious after acknowledging a muscle niggle.

Orlando City FC: None

Anticipated Lineups

Inter Miami: The club is expected to play the same team that faced Galaxy

Predicted XI: (4-3-3) Drake Callender; DeAndre Yedlin, Tomas Aviles, Serhiy Kryvtsov, Jordi Alba; Julian Gressel, Sergio Busquets, Diego Gomez; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Robert Taylor

Orlando City: Orlando is expected to bring back its central defender Rodrigo Schlegel after a game suspension. The player received two yellows in last year’s playoffs and did not feature in their opener. He is likely to replace David Brekalo.

Predicted XI: (4-3-2-1) Pedro Gallese, Dagur Dan Thórhallsson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Robin Jansson, Rafael Santos, César Araújo, Wilder Cartagena, Iván Angulo, Nicolas Lodeiro, Facundo Torres, Duncan McGuire.

READ MORE – Sergio Busquets Admits Mark Delgado’s Controversial Red Card Against Inter Miami Was Unjust

Head to Head

Both the teams met 13 times against each other before. Although Inter Miami drew them in the MLS last time, Orlando has an edge from history with 6 wins while David Beckham’s side won 4 times. The other 3 matches ended in a draw.

Live Streaming and how to watch the game

The first Florida derby is expected to take place at Inter Miami’s newly named arena, Chase Stadium. The match will take place on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 4:30 pm ET/1:30 pm PT. The game will be streamed on Apple TV and be broadcast on FOX, FOX Deportes.

READ MORE – Lionel Messi’s Shirt Swap Controversy: LA Galaxy Star Debunks False ’Agenda’

As Orlando is coming on the back of a 3-1 win in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the Herons could tighten up its defense, which looks weak. Meanwhile, Orlando will try to close the Argentine captain down and choke the Miami attack. Who will ace the Florida match-up? Let us know in the comments.