Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami – MLS, November 20, 2020

When following expansion teams Nashville SC and Inter Miami entered Major League Soccer together at the beginning of the year, I don’t think either side could have imagined the current situation they find themselves in.

But after a season full of twists and turns, Nashville welcomes the Herons to Nissan Stadium on Friday, November 20, with a place in the MLS Cup playoffs on the line.

This is destined to be a thrilling encounter. After looking at the bookies’ odds, I share my Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami prediction and pick.

Home advantage sees Nashville (2.25) head into this showdown as the bookmakers’ favorite. Still, the high price for the home win suggests that the top online betting sites aren’t writing off Inter Miami (2.90).

The Boys in Gold finished eight points ahead of the Herons in the final Eastern Conference standings, but this is bound to be a tight matchup.

Nashville booked their spot in the postseason long before Miami. In fact, David Beckham’s franchise scraped in on Decision Day, with Gary Smith’s side already guaranteed a top-ten finish.

The Tennessee club was actually unlucky to miss out on an automatic playoff place in the end. Nashville finished sandwiched between New York Red Bulls and New England Revolution on 32 points, but the Red Bulls’ superior winning record saw them clinch sixth place.

But nobody can argue that Nashville doesn’t deserve to be in the playoffs. Indeed, the Boys in Gold have enjoyed a phenomenal debut season in MLS.

It is no secret that Smith’s men have struggled for goals this year. But having finished the regular season with the second-best defensive record in the East, Nashville will be confident of extending their maiden voyage for a little while longer.

Our first @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs match is going live across the nation on ESPN2 on November 20. #EveryoneN

— x – Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) November 9, 2020

Earlier in the campaign, it looked as though Inter Miami would miss out on the postseason. Of course, that wouldn’t have been a disaster. It is important to remember that this is the Florida club’s first year in MLS.

However, after spending the majority of 2020 at the bottom end of the standings, four wins in their final eight regular-season outings saw the Herons secure a playoff spot against all the odds.

It is clear that Diego Alonso’s side has benefitted significantly from the mid-season arrivals of Blaise Matuidi and Gonzalo Higuain. Matuidi has been a rock in midfield, while Higuain has contributed one goal and two assists since his debut in September.

But with Nashville boasting one of the toughest defenses in the country, Miami’s stars will have to be at the top of their game to break down Smith’s backline.

These two sides have already faced each other twice this year, with Nashville remaining undefeated. A 1-0 victory in Tennessee was followed by a goalless draw in Florida.

Inter Miami has done remarkably well to reach this stage of the season, but I can’t see their campaign going on any longer. I’m backing the Boys in Blue to edge the Herons with a trademark defensive display.