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FC Cincinnati welcomes Inter Miami to TQL Stadium Wednesday. Kickoff in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal is set for 7 p.m. ET (Paramount+). Below, we preview BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami odds, and make our best expert MLS picks and predictions.
The U.S. Open Cup is a single-elimination tournament with several U.S.-based soccer leagues, including both the USL Championship and MLS. FC Cincinnati beat the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 3-1 at home on June 6 and the New York Red Bulls 1-1 (5-3 penalty kicks) prior to that. FCC sits atop the Eastern Conference and is led by M Luciano Acosta, who has scored 12 goals in 23 MLS appearances.
Inter Miami just won the Leagues Cup on Saturday. In this tournament, it took down Nashville 2-1 on May 23 in the Round of 16, prior to the arrival of F Lionel Messi. In the quarterfinal, it beat Birmingham Legion FC 1-0. While last in the Eastern Conference table, Inter has won 7 straight games, all Leagues Cup action. It beat Nashville 1-1 (10-9) Saturday and Philadelphia 4-1 on Aug. 15, both road matches.
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FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 10:44 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: FC Cincinnati +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Inter Miami +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Draw +250 (bet $100 to win $250)
- Over/Under: 3.5 (O: +115 | U: -165)
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FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami picks and predictions
Prediction
Inter Miami 3, FC Cincinnati 2
Moneyline (ML)
LEAN INTER MIAMI (+100).
FC Cincinnati, after a 16-day layoff following its home loss to Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup Round of 32, lost 3-0 on Sunday to its rival, the Columbus Crew. FCC allowed 13 shots and 9 on frame in that match. Its defense has been solid this season, but it was poor in that showing and will be up against its most challenging foe yet.
Similarly, the Messi-led Inter are rolling, and it was noted that he will play after logging heavy minutes in the Leagues Cup. Messi and company should be able to shred through what was a slow backline for FCC.
While FCC should look better at home, expect Miami to get the job done, and Messi to eventually lift a second come within the first few months of his arrival in MLS.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET OVER 3.5 (+115).
FCC had the worst defense of any Eastern Conference team that made the playoffs last season, allowing 56 goals in 34 matches. This season has been far better, allowing just 28 in 24 matches while scoring 39. It has scored 2 or more goals in 4 of its last 5 MLS matches and has topped even this total in 3 of its last 5 MLS matches.
The presence of Messi should help push the pace and create opportunities. Miami has also struggled to defend. It has allowed 7 goals in its last 5 games and has allowed at least 1 goal in 4 of it last 5. FCC has a lethal attack, and both teams capabilities in the final third should be on full display.
Mixed with defending concerns, back OVER 3.5 (+115).
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