With Lionel Messi back to full health and firing, Inter Miami have returned to the thick of the MLS playoff hunt, where they face a pivotal match against fellow playoff hopeful NYCFC on the road in New York City on Wednesday.
The game will be played at Citi Field, as NYCFC's usual home Yankee Stadium sees the world-renowned baseball team playing a home series against the Chicago White Sox.
Since the damaging 3-0 defeat to surging Charlotte FC two weeks ago, Inter Miami have returned to a promising position on the back of two straight victories.
Fourth-placed NYCFC sit just one place — and one point — ahead of Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference standings, albeit the Herons have played two fewer matches. Like their opponents, NYCFC are also in good form as the postseason approaches, having won seven of their last nine, with one defeat and one draw in that span.
While performances are promising, both sides have plenty of work to secure a playoff berth. Inter Miami are just two points above the wild card places, and seven points above the full postseason cut line. They must finish seventh or better in the conference to secure a guaranteed spot in the playoffs, while eighth and ninth battle for the final wild card spot.
NYCFC vs. Inter Miami prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Draw (+265 on DraftKings)
- Score prediction: NYCFC 2-2 Inter Miami
Inter Miami have been exceedingly poor on the road this season, much worse than when they play at Chase Stadium. They have won just one of their past five away from south Florida, a 5-1 victory at the New York Red Bulls, who sit below the playoff cut line.
Until they prove they can secure three points on the road at a quality opponent, it's impossible to back them for such a result.
| DraftKings (USA) | |
| NYCFC win | +125 |
| Draw | +265 |
| Inter Miami win | +170 |
| Both teams to score | Y: -250 N: +190 |
| Over / Under 3.5 goals | O: +115 U: -150 |
| NYCFC -0.5 goals | +130 |
| Inter Miami +0.5 goals | -155 |
NYCFC vs. Inter Miami match facts
- Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
- Location: Citi Field (New York City, NY)
- Referee: TBD
- Last meeting: Inter Miami 2-2 NYCFC (Feb. 22, 2025 | MLS)
MORE: A complete guide to betting on soccer in the United States
NYCFC vs. Inter Miami best bet
- Pick: Lionel Messi anytime goal scorer
- Odds: +105 (DraftKings)
It feels like stealing at this point that we can even-money odds on Lionel Messi to score. The Argentine legend has bagged a goal in 10 of his past 12 league games, and he has 22 goals in 22 matches this season in league play overall.
Messi may be 38 years old, but it has not affected his play on the field, only his ability to remain match fit. When fully healthy, as he appears to be after bagging a brace against D.C. United at home last time out, he's always a threat to find the net.
Messi has been less effective on the road, like the rest of the Inter Miami squad, but he still remains dangerous in the attacking third regardless of where they play.
NYCFC vs. Inter Miami prop bet
- Pick: Over 3.5 total goals
- Odds: +115 (DraftKings)
Whenever Inter Miami take the field, goals are likely to flow, especially when Messi is on the pitch to lead them forward.
Four or more goals have been scored in 13 of the past 20 league games Inter Miami have played, and in five of those seven games, there were three. Last time these two teams met, four goals were scored, with Inter Miami equalizing at the death despite being a man down for over an hour.