Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United Leagues Cup soccer odds, props: After dramatic winner in debut, Lionel Messi favored to score again in second MLS game Tuesday
Lionel Messi's debut with Major League Soccer and Inter Miami went about as good as could have been hoped last Friday in front of a sellout crowd in Fort Lauderdale as Messi scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time against Liga MX side Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup action. Inter Miami continues that competition tonight at home against Atlanta United. Messi, as was the case for the first game, is the -110 favorite at DraftKings to be an anytime goalscorer. Click here for expert picks.
Inter Miami is the worst team in MLS but beat Cruz Azul when Messi, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, came off the bench to score one of his trademark free kicks in second-half stoppage time for a 2-1 victory in Leagues Cup opening action for both teams. Inter Miami entered on a six-game winless streak in all competitions.
While Messi came off the bench, he will wear the captain's armband and could start tonight, according to Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino: "It is very likely that both Messi and Busi [Sergio Busquets] will play longer, even from the beginning. Everything will depend on how they feel. It's just their second game."
Busquets also made his Inter Miami debut on Friday. The one-time World Cup champion, nine-time La Liga winner and former Barcelona captain is considered to be one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He's +1000 for an anytime goal tonight.
After Friday's victory, Inter Miami would earn a spot in the Leagues Cup Round of 32 with a point tonight. A win likely would have Miami hosting the winner of the South 2 group featuring Orlando City SC, Charlotte FC and Santos Laguna. Martino was head coach of Atlanta United from 2016-18, during which time he led his former club to an MLS Cup title in 2018.
This is the first Leagues Cup game for Atlanta, which enters on a two-game MLS slide and sits seventh on the Eastern Conference table with 35 points through 24 matches. Inter Miami has the fewest points in the MLS with 18. Striker Georgios Giakoumakis leads Atlanta with 10 goals in MLS action and is a +160 second favorite for an anytime goal tonight.
Inter Miami is -105 to win, with Atlanta United +250 and a draw +295.Â
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