Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami – MLS, September 14, 2021

Inter Miami beat Toronto FC less than a month ago, claiming an easy 3-1 victory on home soil. The teams meet again on Tuesday, September 14, this time at BMO Field.

It’s fair to say that TFC and Inter Miami have been moving in opposite directions in recent weeks. While Phil Neville’s men have only lost one of their last ten games (six wins, three draws), the Reds have lost each of their previous five matches.

As a result, ninth-place Inter Miami leads fourteenth-place Toronto by a whopping 14 points.

This betting preview contains analysis of both sides and odds for Tuesday’s clash. I also share my prediction for Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami at the end of this piece, along with a free betting pick.

The Reds suffered their fifth straight defeat on Saturday, going down 2-0 to FC Cincinnati. The loss also extended their winless run to eight games, with two draws and six defeats coming since their previous victory.

When you look a wider picture, Javier Perez’s men have only managed to win one of their last 11 matches. And when you look at the even bigger picture, they have won just three of their 23 MLS outings this year.

Granted, Toronto has scored more goals than four teams in the Eastern Conference. Yet, having conceded a mammoth 49 goals this season, TFC has the worst defensive record in the division by a considerable margin.

Michael Bradley is the only player to have featured in every MLS game this year, although the veteran midfielder has only contributed one goal and two assists. With Ayo Akinola and Jozy Altidore both injured, Toronto’s other DPs need to step up.

The Reds are in desperate need of a favorable fixture to kick-start a resurgence. Unfortunately for them, Inter Miami is in red-hot form right now.

We all know that Inter Miami made a dreadful start to the season, winning just two of their opening 13 matches. Since then, however, Neville’s men have been almost unstoppable.

The Herons have only lost one of their last ten outings and head into Tuesday’s clash on a five-game unbeaten streak. With four wins and one draw coming since their last defeat, no team in Major League Soccer has taken more points than Inter Miami across the past five matches.

Gonzalo Higuain netted the only goal of the game in the 1-0 win over Columbus last time out, taking his nine goals and three assists in 20 games this year. Following a slow start to life in the US, the legendary Argentine striker appears to have found his feet.

Rodolfo Pizzaro has upped his game recently, too, scoring three goals in his last four appearances. Having bagged a brace against Toronto last time around, the Mexican DP will fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet on Tuesday.

The Herons have also made vast improvements at the other end of the pitch, notching a shutout in each of their last three matches.

What is going on here!?

Yes, Toronto (2.25) has the home-field advantage on Tuesday. But when you consider the recent form of these two sides, all the signs point towards an easy away win.

The online sportsbooks view Inter Miami (3.10) as the underdog, giving us a hugely attractive price for the away win. In my eyes, you would be foolish not to back the Herons to win this one.

At the end of the day, this matchup brings together two teams in totally contrasting form. Inter Miami is absolutely flying at the moment, while Toronto is stuck in a massive rut.

Across the past ten matches, Neville’s men have taken 21 points from a possible 30 – picking up six wins, three draws, and one loss along the way. By contrast, the Reds have claimed a measly six points in that time – recording one win, three draws, and six defeats.

Need I say more?

The big price for the away win is simply too good to miss here. I mean, the Herons crushed Toronto less than a month ago and have remained unbeaten since then – drawing with Orlando before seeing off Cincy and Columbus.

Of course, TFC’s lengthy losing streak has to come to an end at some point. But when you consider the ruthless form that Inter Miami is in, I just can’t see the hosts avoiding defeat on Tuesday.