Preview: Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union - prediction, team news, lineups

Preview: Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union - prediction, team news, lineups
Off the back of a resounding victory last time out, Philadelphia Union visit the DRV PNK Stadium to face off against Inter Miami on Thursday. On the other hand, the hosts will be looking to return to winning ways on their own patch following two consecutive matches on the road without a victory. © Reuters Philadelphia Union made it two home wins on the bounce as they handed out an emphatic 7-0 thrashing to DC United at Subaru Park on Saturday.
Julian Carranza netted three times for Jim Curtin 's men as Alejandro Bedoya and Mikael Uhre also got in on the act with two goals apiece. The U are second in the Eastern Conference standings at the moment, level on points with current leaders New York Red Bulls albeit having played a game fewer. Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing side who have only come out on top in one of the previous six meetings between the teams since 2020.
Having conceded the fewest number of goals away from home this term, Thursday's visitors just need to slightly up the ante at the attacking end of the pitch to improve their already decent fortunes on the road. © Reuters Inter Miami failed to win for the seventh away game running following a 1-0 defeat to Orlando City at the Exploria Stadium on Sunday. With the scores level heading into second-half stoppage time, Phil Neville 's men were on course to secure a point before a late own goal from Damion Lowe decided the contest.
As a result, the Herons remain 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, four points shy of the last playoff spot with a game in hand. Currently on a run of six wins in their last seven home outings, Thursday's hosts will back themselves to emerge victorious in front of their fans once again. © Reuters Unsurprisingly, Julian Carranza won the Player of the Week award for his treble against DC United and the Argentine will be looking to pick up where he left off.
Jose Martinez will be expected to get the nod to feature once again here after he made his return to action from a one-game ban last time out. Nineteen-year-old Ian Fray remains on the treatment table with a long-term knee problem and he is a guaranteed absentee for Inter Miami. Ariel Lassiter missed the defeat against Orlando City through a knock which could rule the Costa Rican out of Thursday's game as well.
Drake Callender was on song between the sticks in the last edition of this fixture and the 24-year-old may need to put on a similar performance to help his side to a positive result. Inter Miami possible starting lineup: Callender; McVey, Mabika, Lowe; Taylor, Mota, Gregore, Yedlin; Duke, Vassilev, Campana Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup: Blake; Wagner, Elliott, Glesnes, Harriel; Bedoya, Flach, Martinez; Gazdag, Carranza, Uhre Philadelphia Union are on a better run of results heading into this one but Inter Miami's home form indicates that they are certainly no pushovers. We are backing the teams to cancel each other out and settle for a point apiece in the end.
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