Inter Miami returns to MLS action this weekend, following an impressive Leagues Cup run that saw it claim the tournament’s first trophy by beating Nashville in an exciting penalty shootout.

In the wake of Lionel Messi's arrival, Miami has quickly turned its 2023 season around. Once among the weakest teams in MLS, Inter is now a force to be reckoned with. Their success in the Leagues Cup will provide Miami players with the confidence they need to make noise in the second half of the MLS season. The goal now is to climb high enough in the standings to secure a playoff spot.

The New York Red Bulls have also set sights on improving their standings position over the rest of the MLS season. New York is currently just three points out of a playoff spot.

With the MLS restart fast approaching, and every game becoming so crucial, let’s make some soccer picks and parlays for this New York-Miami showdown.

New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami Odds

Moneyline: New York Red Bulls +150 | Draw +250 | Inter Miami +150
1st Goal: New York Red Bulls -110 | No Goal +1200 | Inter Miami +100
Both teams to score: Yes -182, No +130
Draw No Bet:  New York Red Bulls -125 | Inter Miami -110
Double Chance:  New York Red Bulls or Draw -211 | New York Red Bulls or Inter Miami or -334 | Draw or Inter Miami -188
Goals:
Total Goals: 1.5: Over -500 | Under +300
Total Goals: 2.5: Over -154 | Under +110
Total Goals: 3.5: Over +150 | Under -211
Total Goals: 4.5: Over +333 | Under -550

New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami Preview

Date: Saturday, Aug. 26
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV channel: MLS Season Pass
Live stream: Apple TV

The New York Red Bulls return to MLS regular-season action this weekend with a home game against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. The game at Red Bull Arena is expected to be a sold-out event, making it the hottest ticket of the season so far. Local fans are eager to see the Red Bulls become the first MLS squad to beat Messi’s resurgent Miami team.

The Red Bulls have had a turbulent season, which already led to the departure of former head coach Gerhard Struber in early May. That move came after the team endured a seven-game winless streak and found itself near the bottom of the MLS standings. The coaching change left assistant Troy Lesesne in charge of the Red Bulls for the remainder of the 2023 season. While the team’s record has improved, the Red Bulls are still struggling to find any level of consistency. 

New York has had difficulty creating chances this season -- scoring just 23 goals in the MLS regular season to date. That total is the league’s fourth-worst, although it is one goal ahead of Inter Miami at 22. In fairness, that anemic Miami scoring occurred before the club signed Messi, who is widely regarded as the best player in the world. Inter Miami also added a few of Messi’s former Barcelona teammates to its significantly improved roster.

Inter Miami can’t afford to miss a beat over its final regular-season games if it wants to reach the postseason. A poor start to the year led to drastic changes, but head coach Tata Martino and his players still have a mountain to climb to contend for a championship. Miami enters its game against New York some 20 points behind seventh-place Atlanta United, which currently holds the final guaranteed Eastern Conference playoff spot. Inter is also 14 points behind both Chicago and Montreal – the last two teams that would qualify for postseason play. 

There are 12 MLS matches remaining, and Inter Miami will need to win almost all of them to give itself a fighting chance at the playoffs. The seven-game Leagues Cup win streak will certainly give the team a major confidence boost. The quest for the MLS playoffs begins Saturday with a tricky road game against the Red Bulls.

New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami Predictions and Pick

Handicap

While the Red Bulls have struggled to score this season, they have been stubborn defensively, conceding just 26 goals in MLS regular-season play. Goalkeeper Cristian Casseres Jr. has the best rating of any player on New York’s team this year, while Colombian center back Andres Reyes has been outstanding all season long. New York employs a tight back four in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and facing Inter Miami will present one of the Red Bulls’ toughest defensive challenges so far.

Miami’s 22 goals in seven Leagues Cup games tied its total goal output from the team’s first 22 MLS regular-season games – all played prior to Messi’s arrival. Josef Martinez and Robert Taylor have both looked like entirely different players because they are now finding more space whenever Messi draws a crowd of defenders. 

Inter Miami has struggled defensively, leaking goals all too often this year, but goalkeeper Drake Callender looked very good in the Leagues Cup games. The addition of two world champion players in Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets has worked wonders in solidifying Miami’s defense. 

I have Inter Miami winning this one and doing so by at least two goals. The odds are too good to refuse at +400, even on the road. Messi and Co. have played on world stages and World Cup/Champions League finals, so a visit to New York should hardly deter them.

The Pick: Inter Miami -1 Handicap (+400)

Anytime Goalscorer

Miami’s Josef Martinez is slowly figuring it out. His movement playing alongside Messi is getting better, and he’s beginning to understand that he doesn’t need to drift out of position to impact a game.

Messi spends a lot of time on the ball and comes back to pick it up from defenders at times before turning to assess his options. That allows Martinez to sit up front and wait patiently for his opportunities. He will learn to peel off Messi in order to create space for himself, since the Argentinian is the world’s greatest player at drawing in defenders before setting up a teammate.

I have Martinez finding the back of the net in this one. Don’t forget that in the Leagues Cup games, Martinez was the one taking penalties.

The Pick: Josef Martinez to score anytime (+175)

Both Teams to Score 

Sergio Busquets plays a commanding role in front of the Inter Miami back four, and Jordi Alba has helped organize the defensive line since arriving a little later than his Barcelona teammates.

While Messi is grabbing all the headlines, Busquets and Alba were just as important in winning the Leagues Cup title. Inter Miami held some of MLS’ better offensive teams to very limited forward movement, including silencing Hany Mukhtar of Nashville in the final.

I don’t see the Red Bulls getting many chances in this one, and without all that much creative play going forward, I think Drake Callender keeps a clean sheet on the road.

The Pick: Both Teams to Score - No (+125)

Best New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami Same-Game Parlay Picks: 3-leg SGP (+1200)

Check this parlay out for the Miami-New York matchup, with a three-piece bet offering +1200 odds on the Betway Sportsbook.

3 Way Handicap

Leg-1 SGP Pick: Inter Miami -1 (+400)

Anytime Goalscorer

Leg-2 SGP Pick: Josef Martinez to score anytime (+175)

Both teams to score

Leg-3 SGP Pick: Both Teams to Score - No (+130)

Odds are subject to change*

MLS SAME GAME PARLAY @ +1200: (Bet $100 to Win $1300). Get the best odds at Betway Sportsbook.

WELCOME OFFER: Earn up to $250 on bonus bets with your first wager. Download Betway Sportsbook today!

Bet on MLS

Find season long MLS odds on the Betway sportsbook. You’ll find all the latest spreads, over/unders, money lines and parlays. Missed kick off? No problem, Betway also offers live betting. All your MLS betting needs are covered at our online sportsbook.

Visit Betway’s MLS betting picks page for picks and predictions throughout the season.