Preview

Aug

2025

Preview: Inter Miami continue Leagues Cup campaign against Necaxa

Inter Miami will play their second game in the 2025 Leagues Cup against Necaxa on Saturday night as the tournament’s league phase continues.

By James Nalton

Lionel Messi has already had a standout moment in the competition, as his side will now be looking for an improvement on their opening match against Atlas.

Messi instrumental again

Inter Miami were seconds away from a disappointing draw in their first fixture of this tournament, which pits MLS sides against those from Mexico’s Liga MX.

The score in the game against Atlas was tied at 1-1, and the clock was counting down into the sixth minute of a minimum of five to be added on.

Up stepped Messi, not with a goal, but with an assist and an instrumental part in the move that brought the dramatic late winner scored by his compatriot Marcelo Weigandt.

Messi played a one-two with Luis Suárez before finding Weigant, who had started the move and was now well placed to tap in the winner.

It’s a knockout tournament, with a trophy on the line, and Messi turned on the style in a key moment.

The team can now also call upon Rodrigo De Paul, the new signing, whose paperwork was sorted in time for him to debut against Atlas.

Leagues taking shape

As only four of 18 teams will progress to the knockout rounds from each league, wins are vital at this stage, and even winning each of the three league phase matches might not guarantee progress.

Goal difference is likely to play a part once each team have played their three league phase matches, and one goal wins might not be enough.

Inter Miami, like all the teams in this tournament, will likely need more than narrow wins if they’re to progress, and they’ll be aiming to be more convincing in the remaining two games than they were against Atlas.

The Leagues Cup can be seen as assessing the relative strength of each league, pitting two against each other as well as individual clubs.

At the time of writing, MLS has the edge, having won ten to Liga MX’s eight, with six draws.

Seattle Sounders’ 7-0 win against current Concacaf Champions Cup holders Cruz Azul was an especially notable statement victory.

Inter Miami now needs one of its own against Necaxa.

Opposition watch: Necaxa

Necaxa scored the second-most goals in last season’s Liga MX Clausura league stage, but also conceded more than their fair share.

They come into this game on the back of scoring three against Atlanta United in a 3-1 win in the opening game of their Leagues Cup campaign, and will be among the Mexican sides looking to build on a good early win.

Their attack of Pavel Pérez and Diber Cambindo, supported by midfielder Agustín Palavecino, can score against anyone, and they’ll fancy their chances against Inter Miami’s defence.

Prediction

Miami will be looking to rack up the goals, but there could be plenty for both teams. That said, you’d still fancy Inter Miami with Messi and the introduction of De Paul to get the win at home.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Inter Miami game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2025

Preview: Inter Miami start Leagues Cup campaign against Atlas

The 2025 edition of the Leagues Cup, a mid-season tournament that pits teams from Major League Soccer against their Liga MX counterparts, kicks off this week.

By James Nalton

Lionel Messi has returned from his one-game suspension for missing the All-Star game and his Inter Miami team will face Mexican side Atlas in their opening game, looking to relive their 2023 success in this tournament.

Messi’s chance at another trophy

Though Inter Miami failed to win the MLS Cup in Messi’s first full season in 2024, they had won the inaugural edition of the expanded Leagues Cup in 2023, just after Messi arrived.

It was seen as a sign of things to come and the beginning of Inter Miami’s dominance of North American soccer, but though they did win the MLS Supporters’ Shield for topping the overall standings in 2024, they are yet to follow-up that 2023 Leagues Cup triumph in other cup competitions.

This tournament offers a chance for Inter Miami to get back in the hunt for trophies and meet the levels expected of them since Messi joined.

The arrival at Miami of Messi’s buddy Rodrigo De Paul from Atlético Madrid should help, and he’s expected to appear at some point during this tournament.

New Leagues Cup format

The Leagues Cup (which you can follow in the app – here) has changed format once again, and rather than involving all 30 teams from MLS, only includes 18 to match the number of teams from Liga MX.

MLS versus Liga MX games have understandably been the most intriguing matchups in previous editions of this tournament, and the big advantage of the new format is that it guarantees such matches throughout the league stage and in the quarterfinals.

A new league phase, not dissimilar to the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League but with two leagues rather than one, replaces the original group stage.

Though Mexican sides will face MLS sides in all league phase games, the 18 participating MLS teams will be in one league table and the 18 from Liga MX in another. The top four from each advance to the knockout stage.

When Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023, they only faced one Mexican team in the seven games they played.

This edition, therefore, should provide them with a proper test against Mexican opposition.

Opposition watch: Atlas

Atlas have begun the new Liga MX season with a win, a draw, and a defeat in the opening three games of the Apertura, taking a mixed bag of form into the Leagues Cup.

They were knocked out in the last 32 by compatriots Club América last year, and lost on penalties to New England Revolution at the same stage in 2023.

Atlas attacking star Eduardo Aguirre has started the new Mexican season with a goal and an assist in the three games they have played, while 22-year-old Paraguayan Diego González looks set to contribute more regularly this season.

Montenegro international forward Uroš Đurđević will be looking to get in the goals, and their back line features the one-time Brazilian wonderkid, Dória, the left-footed centre-back who is now aged 30.

Prediction

An early tournament statement win for Messi and Miami.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Inter Miami game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2025

Preview: England take on Spain in the Euros Final

In a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final, either England or Spain will be crowned European champions in Basel on Sunday evening.

By Jamie Spencer

England back in the final

Hoping to retain their title, England have reached three consecutive European Championship and World Cup finals since 2022. Sarina Wiegman has successfully navigated her way to five – including 2017 and 2019 with the Netherlands.

4-0 and 6-1 wins over the Dutch and Wales in the group stage were impressive, but France and Sweden highlighted vulnerabilities with intense pressing, while Italy’s low block was seconds away from getting the job done in the last four. The Lionesses still deserve enormous credit for refusing to give up at any point, launching late comebacks in each of the last two rounds.

Spain’s road to Basel

Spain are looking to become the first country to simultaneously hold the World Cup and European Championship trophies since Germany kept the pair locked away between 2003 and 2011. La Roja have never won the Euros and this is their first final in the competition.

They navigated the group stage with relative ease, scoring five against Portugal, six against Belgium and three against Italy. Switzerland frustrated them until midway through the second half in the quarter-finals, before succumbing to a 2-0 score-line, while Aitana Bonmatí’s 113th minute strike was the sole difference against Germany in the last four.

Head-to-head

Spain won the previous encounter that matters most, 1-0 in the World Cup final two summers ago, but England are no strangers to beating them – Jess Park scored the only goal of a Nations League win at Wembley in February of this year. Spain were victorious in a meeting in Barcelona as recently as June, 2-1, although the Lionesses scored first then.

The final will be a milestone 20th game between the countries. England have won eight of the previous 19 – including the quarter-final at Euro 2022, compared to Spain’s five.

Team news

England medical staff have been monitoring Lauren James since an ankle injury forced her out of the semi-final at half-time. If the Chelsea forward isn’t fit enough to start, Beth Mead, who replaced her against Italy, or Chloe Kelly, who has made transformative impacts off the bench at this tournament, are the most likely options to come into the lineup on the right flank.

Spain centre-back Laia Aleixandri was suspended for the semi-final and is expected to return in place of María Méndez, who filled in against Germany. Coach Montse Tomé had a more fluid selection during the group stage, but Aleixandri’s enforced absence last time out was the only change from the quarter-final against Switzerland.

Prediction

After 30 games over the last four weeks, it all comes down to this.

Spain and England have been the two best teams at this tournament, but in very different ways. La Roja have been technically superior to everyone, while the Lionesses never know they’re beaten.

Spain have won 10 straight games since England beat them in February, in front of a Wembley crowd, and it will take a huge performance to halt that kind of momentum against a side expected to dominate the ball and play the final on their terms.

If Wiegman’s team can keep things tight and frustrate Spain, which hasn’t been their forte, there is a chance. Otherwise, there could be more English heartbreak and more Spanish delight after an international final. England 1-2 Spain (aet).

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings.

And for exclusive coverage from on the ground at the tournament, please sign up for our free newsletter – here.

Jul

2025

Preview: Messi-less Inter Miami host Cincinnati

Inter Miami face FC Cincinnati for the second time in three games having lost the previous meeting 3-0 in Ohio.

By James Nalton

Ahead of this latest encounter back in Florida, there was uncertainty and controversy surround Lionel Messi’s availability following his no show at the MLS All Star game.

Lionel Messi All-Star saga

Messi was called up for the MLS All-Star team which faced off against counterparts from Mexico’s Liga MX in Austin, Texas, last weekend, but the Inter Miami star and reigning MLS MVP failed to show.

MLS rules state that any players called up for the All-Star game who then don’t show up will miss the next league game as a punishment.

This rule obviously doesn’t apply if the player in question is injured, but Messi played the full 90 minutes in Inter Miami’s last league game, against New York Red Bulls, and there has been no indication that he is carrying a knock.

Head coach Javier Mascherano said fatigue was the reason for Messi missing out on the All Star game, and MLS decided on Friday that Messi, and Jordi Alba, who was also absent having been selected, will indeed be suspended against Cincinnati.

Messi’s absence from the All-Star game was controversial in itself and led to questions being asked about the existence of such a mid-season exhibition match in the first place.

A one-game suspension for Messi seems far from ideal for MLS, but had he played in the All Star game and picked up an injury, it might have been much worse for the league.

Miami seek revenge

When these two teams met just over a week ago in Cincinnati, the home side inflicted Inter Miami’s only MLS defeat in their last eight games.

A convincing defeat it was too. As well as the three goals they scored, Cincy kept Inter Miami scoreless for only the third time in the 2025 MLS season.

Messi and co. bounced back with a 5-1 win against New York Red Bulls last weekend, and will now be looking to carry this momentum into this weekend and get revenge on the Ohio club.

Familiar threats

Evander’s two second-half goals in the recent meeting between these two turned Cincinnati’s win into a resounding victory.

The Brazilian, signed from Portland Timbers for an intra-league transfer record ahead of this season, is one of the players challenging Messi for the title of 2025 MLS MVP.

Standout performances in games against Messi’s club do his chances of competing for that individual honour no harm at all, and he’ll be looking to put on another show in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night.

Unlike Messi, though, Evander played in the All Star game, so despite having dealt with the travel to Auston and back, plus a 45 minute stint the game itself, will at least be available for the game against Inter Miami.

Prediction

With Messi, Inter Miami would have been favourites, but without him home advantage might be enough to get them a draw.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2025

Preview: England and Italy meet in first Euros semifinal

One more win will see either England or Italy become the first team to book a place in the Euro 2025 final.

By Jamie Spencer

A place in the final

An England side that performs better than anyone else at major tournaments is seeking to make it to a third successive final at the Euros and World Cup. For Italy, this opportunity to reach another major final has been 28 years in the making.

The Lionesses have looked beaten a couple of times already, humbled by France in the group stage and then finding themselves 2-0 down in the quarter-final against Sweden until the final 12 minutes. But big wins over the Netherlands and Wales, and a chaotic last eight comeback, demonstrated an uncanny ability to get the job done when it matters most.

Italy followed Spain out of Group B, beating Belgium and drawing with Portugal either side of a loss against the reigning world champions. A 90^th minute quarter-final winner against Norway, having earlier been ahead, resulted in a first semi-final appearance since Euro 1997.

Head-to-head

England thrashed Italy 5-1 in a 2024 friendly and secured a 2-1 win in the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup. Due to a dominant edge in the 1990s, when England didn’t record a single win against Le Azzurre, Italy lead the overall head-to-head record, victorious in 14 of 32 prior meetings, compared to England’s 12. But Italy haven’t beaten England since 2012.

Italy’s former glories

Italy were one of the early powerhouses of women’s international football, contesting each of the first five European Championships when it was just a four-team tournament. They were runners-up to Norway in 1993 and again reached the final in 1997 when the competition was first expanded to eight teams. But then came a slump that they have never fully emerged from.

*Italy’s predicted line up has an average age of 29.3 years old*

The great hope is that after a surprising run to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2019 but group stage exits at the Euros in 2017, 2022 and the World Cup in 2023, this summer could be more of a permanent catalyst. The other side of that coin is plenty of experience will soon be lost, with seven of the 23 players selected this summer aged 31 or older.

‘Proper England’

It’s been the buzz phrase around the squad since the opening defeat to France, coined by Georgia Stanway, who was one of many that were subpar in that first game. When ‘Proper England’ show up, as the Netherlands, Wales and, eventually, Sweden, found out, they are among the very best around.

Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, player of the match against Sweden, puts it down to “English blood”, the attitude that it’s never over until it’s over.

*England’s top five rated players at the tournament*

Team news

England were sweating on the fitness of captain Leah Williamson after rolling her ankle the quarter-final, but the Arsenal defender trained on Monday along with all 22 other players in the squad.

Italy midfielders Arianna Caruso and Manuela Giugliano were working in the gym to overcome fitness issues on Monday and could remain doubts. Veteran forward Cristiana Girelli has scored three of Italy’s five goals at the tournament, including both against Norway last time out.

Prediction

England’s quarter-final against Sweden was the tougher task, which bodes well for the Lionesses, especially after the nature of that game. What works in Italy’s favour is a day’s extra rest and preparation time, but that doesn’t feel like enough to make a decisive difference. England 3-1 Italy.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings.

And for exclusive coverage from on the ground at the tournament, please sign up for our free newsletter – here.

Jul

2025

Preview: Inter Miami visit New York Red Bulls

Inter Miami’s packed schedule of matches continues with their ninth game in little over a month, as they travel to New Jersey to face the New York Red Bulls.

By James Nalton

They’ll be looking to get back to winning ways after a heavy defeat in midweek, but could face a tough test at the Sports Illustrated Arena.

A bump in the road to recovery

Inter Miami come into this game on the back of a first league defeat in seven games. A game which also ended a five-game winning streak.

It was a battle between two of the best players in the league, Lionel Messi and Evander, which was won by the latter as Cincinnati emerged as 3-0 winners at home, with Evander scoring twice.

It was the first Inter Miami MLS game in seven to not feature goals for both teams, and only the third MLS game this season in which Inter Miami have failed to score.

It dented their quest to catch the teams at the top of the table, especially as league leaders Philadelphia Union scraped a win against Montréal.

Miami remain eight points off the top with three games in hand, so despite this hiccup, they could still overtake these teams if they win all of those games.

Will Messi play?

Messi is a doubt for the game against the Red Bulls, with head coach Javier Mascherano commenting that they will decide after training on Friday whether he will be fit to play on Saturday night.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if they left it until the day of the game itself to decide whether Messi can play, such is his importance to the team.

If he does miss out, it will be interesting to see how the team performs in his absence, given he’s scored 11 goals in their last seven games.

One player who will definitely be missing is goalkeeper Oscar Ustari. Mascherano has indicated that Rocco Ríos Novo will take his place.

Red Bulls recovery

Assessments of the Red Bulls this season will depend on how convincing they are in qualifying for the post-season from here on in, and the post-season itself.

So far, they’ve been hit and miss, epitomised by their previous game, against New England Revolution, in which they were behind 2-0 at half time after a poor showing, and then played some good stuff to turn the game around dramatically and win 5-3. It was their first win in six games.

There are still signs of pressing from the Red Bulls — a franchise from whom such a style still seems to be expected.

They are third in the league for possession won in the final third per match, and second in the league for successful tackles per match behind a Philadelphia Union team who have traces of Red Bull in their own tactics.

Summer signing Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting is already in double figures for the season with 13 goals, while Emil Forsberg still has the potential to be a game’s star player.

Prediction

If Messi plays, Inter Miami win. If he doesn’t, the Red Bulls have a chance, but a draw might be on the cards.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2025

Preview: England take on Sweden in Euros quarterfinal

England are into the quarter-finals at Euro 2025 but now must overcome arguably the most impressive team from the tournament’s group stage.

By Jamie Spencer

How they reached the last eight

Sweden emerged from a tricky Group C with a 100% record. A dominant opener against Denmark finished 1-0 but was characterised by wasteful finishing after underperforming their xG (2.39). Peter Gerhardsson’s side underperformed xG (3.89) a second time against Poland, winning 3-0, but scored twice against the run of play to come from behind and beat Germany 4-1 in a more clinical outing.

England had a bumpier ride, humbled by France in game one, before turning up with a 4-0 thrashing when it mattered against the Netherlands, Beating Wales next was required to keep their destiny in their own hands, and the Lionesses took no chances with a 6-1 score-line.

Head-to-Head

This is a repeat of a one-sided semi-final three summers ago. England cruised to a 4-0 win that day – including Alessia Russo’s iconic backheel, effectively laying down their credentials as champions.

Sweden prevailed, on penalties, when the pair met in the first ever European Championship final back in 1984 – it was played over two legs in those days. The Swedes won, in extra-time, in the 1987 semi-finals, before successive group stage wins over the Lionesses in 2001 (4-0) and 2005 (1-0).

In the Euros alone, it’s two England wins, four for Sweden, and one draw. They faced each other in qualifying for these finals too, with both matches finishing all square (1-1 and 0-0).

Sweden’s conductor

Even at 35 years of age, Kosovare Asllani has been pulling the strings. The former Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid star, who will grace the WSL next season after recently helping London City Lionesses to promotion, has four goals and assists at this tournament from the No. 10 role. Sweden have other threats, but stopping her is England’s obvious objective.

Toone’s key role

Ella Toone didn’t start for England against France, but her addition to the team for the games since has brought a better balance to the midfield, with and without the ball.

“People speak about her offensively, but the defensive work she does for me and Georgia [Stanway] is incredible,” Keira Walsh told reporters after the Lionesses beat Wales. “She covers a lot of spaces that we can’t. That’s probably been the main thing that’s stopped other teams from playing.”

Toone has been through huge personal strife after losing her father, Nick, last year but is rediscovering her best form. “I feel like I’m in a really good place, I’ve missed this Ella Toone,” she told BBC Sport. “I’ve not had it for a while. I feel like I’m really coming into it.”

Team news

Sarina Wiegman was delighted to make it through the group stage without injuries and is expected to pick the same team that beat the Netherlands and Wales. Attacking depth from the bench could be a key factor later in the tie, though.

Winger Fridolina Rolfö started for the first time this tournament in Sweden’s third group game (and scored) after recovering from an ankle injury. Nathalie Björn has had a different centre-back partner for each outing so far, while Julia Zigiotti Olme is vying with Hanna Bennison to start in midfield.

Prediction

Sweden’s tendency for profligacy witnessed in their first two games is not a new trait. It was evident in qualifying, against England, which could bode well for the Lionesses if they can remain defensively resilient. Scoring against the Swedes is the harder task, but Wiegman’s team is purring in that sense now. Sweden 1-2 England (after extra time).

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings.

And for exclusive coverage from on the ground at the tournament, please sign up for our free newsletter – here.

Jul

2025

Preview: Fifth meets second as Miami go to Cincinnati

With another mid-season tournament on the horizon, Inter Miami continued their impressive post-Club World Cup form with another win, as Lionel Messi continued to break records. They are now setting their sights on the top of the table as they go into a game in Ohio on Wednesday night against FC Cincinnati, who sit second in the Eastern Conference.

By James Nalton

Move on up and keep on winning

All of a sudden, Inter Miami are only five points off the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings, with three games in hand.

Javier Mascherano’s side have won all three of their games since returning from the Club World Cup, and their victory against Nashville at the weekend saw them take points from a team above them in the Eastern Conference and the overall MLS standings.

They now have the chance to do the same again when they face FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night.

Saturday’s win narrowed the gap between themselves and Nashville to three points, and they could go within one point of Cincinnati if they win this midweek game.

There are only three games to go until the Leagues Cup group stage begins — this game, plus a trip to New York Red Bulls and another meeting with FC Cincinnati.

By that time, Inter Miami could well be closing in on top-of-the-table Philadelphia Union.

Messi’s run continues

Lionel Messi’s MLS record of multiple goals in consecutive games was extended to five, as he scored both goals in the 2-1 win against Nashville.

“There aren’t very many words. It’s incredible what he continues to do,” Mascherano said after the game.

Messi’s FotMob ratings in those five matches have all been above nine. After a relatively quiet start to the season, where other players have been the leading lights in MLS, the Argentine has begun to make his presence felt in 2025.

There are bursts of support from several of his teammates, not least Luis Suárez, who is putting up some decent numbers of his own, but Messi’s performances in recent weeks have turned Inter Miami’s disappointing early season into one in which they are now looking like they could even retain their Supporters’ Shield title.

FC Cincinnati and Evander

FC Cincinnati made one of the signings of the year when they acquired Evander from Portland Timbers in February.

The league had just introduced intra-league cash-for-player trades ahead of the 2025 season, having previously relied on MLS’s internal currency, allocation money, for such transfers.

At $12m (€11.5m at the time), with up to $150,000 in add-ons, Evander’s transfer became the largest of such deals.

Having sold star playmaker Luciano Acosta to FC Dallas, the Brazilian needed to step up right away, and has so far lived up to expectations.

Evander is up there with Messi in several areas of output so far this season, and is on a scoring run of his own, having found the net in his last four matches.

He is third in the goalscoring charts with 13, behind joint leaders Messi and Sam Surridge, has the third-highest average FotMob rating in MLS this season behind Messi and Carles Gil, and is third for goals and assists combined behind Anders Dreyer and Messi.

Cincinnati were on a four-game winning run that came to a halt with a disappointing 4-2 win against local rivals Columbus Crew last weekend, but Evander was still one of the best players on the pitch.

They’ll now be looking to bounce back, and Evander will be looking to show he can at least match Messi.

Prediction

Cincinnati use home advantage and the form of Evander to halt Messi and Miami’s run.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2025

Preview: Chelsea and PSG face off in Club World Cup Final

Love it or loathe it, the new-look FIFA Club World Cup has produced some good moments and plenty of talking points. It all comes to a climax on Sunday, with Chelsea kicking-off against French and European champions PSG.

By Alex Roberts

Both sides have played arguably the best football at the tournament, although PSG’s route to the final has been a little trickier than Chelsea’s. Of course, any side that beats Real Madrid 4-0 has to be considered favourites.

Unstoppable force vs immovable object

With Moisés Caicedo back in training and seemingly fit to face PSG, he will come up against another midfielder that has made a name for himself as one of the best ball winners in the game, João Neves.

Neves has undergone quite the transformation since joining the French giants. While at Benfica, he was more creative, under Luis Enrique, his tenacity and undying engine have seen him become more of a N’Golo Kanté.

*Club World Cup defensive numbers comparison*

He was absolutely everywhere in the win over Real Madrid, winning the most duels (7) and tackles (4) in the game. Caicedo put up similar numbers in the win over Benfica, winning 100% of his tackles, making 10 recoveries, and winning five duels. This game will likely be won in the midfield.

João Pedro!? More like Wow Pedro

Talk about an instant impact. The Brazilian was on a beach in Rio just over a week ago, now he’s arguably Chelsea’s first choice striker. His two goals against Fluminense were superbly taken, a penny for Nicolas Jackson’s thoughts.

He offers a different kind of option to Liam Delap and Jackson. While Delap is more of a Jack Russell Terrier, biting and the ankles of defenders, Pedro relies on his hold-up play and deft touches to create space and strike the ball with venom.

Jackson’s best asset is his movement; he’s just often let down when it comes to actually putting the ball in the back of the net. It’s an exciting time to be a Chelsea fan, and it would be hard for Enzo Maresca to pick anyone other than Pedro to start in this one.

In all but name

PSG don’t need a little badge on their shirt to know they’re the best side in the world at the moment; they’ve proven it over and over again by beating the best of the best. Luis Enrique has done a hell of a job.

Chelsea are on the come up under Enzo Maresca, but PSG have already beaten better sides to get here. They’re only behind Man City in terms of xG with 12.5 and level with them in big chances created with 24.

They’re also so hard to break down. PSG have conceded just one goal in the tournament, coming in their shock 1-0 defeat to Brazilian side Botafogo. Perhaps Chelsea can take inspiration from that game.

Money, Money, Money

It’s no secret the immense amount of cash on offer is the main driving force for clubs in the competition, it’s the name of the modern game. FIFA put up a $1 billion prize pot to be divided between the 32 competing teams.

The winner of this one will have bagged around £70 million for their time at the tournament, which is roughly how much Chelsea pay for any given squad player, it’s quite the motivator for the accountants at least.

We shouldn’t discount professional pride as a motivator; both of these clubs are used to winning and adding another trophy to the cabinet, regardless of what people think, will have the players licking their lips.

Prediction

This is the greatest test in Maresca’s time as Chelsea manager, and we reckon it may just be a step too far. PSG should win this fairly comfortably, 3-1.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can watch the Club World Cup live on DAZN – watch here for free!

Jul

2025

Preview: Inter Miami look to continue post-Club World Cup bounce against Nashville

It’s a battle between two of the in-form attackers in Major League Soccer as Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami take on Sam Surridge’s Nashville SC on Saturday night.

By James Nalton

Javier Mascherano’s side are looking to recover ground on the teams ahead of them in the MLS standings following the Club World Cup, and here they have a chance to take points off the one sitting in second place.

Internacional Miami

The Club World Cup has been and gone, for MLS at least, but the international football experience on home soil seems to have given Inter Miami an extra swagger on their return to regular season MLS matches.

When you’ve just beaten Porto and tested yourselves against Paris Saint-Germain, returning to MLS could either be a chore or a chance to show why you were at the Club World Cup in the first place.

Inter Miami have gone down the latter route, following up a 4-1 thrashing of Montréal with a 2-1 win against New England Revolution.

As is often the case in Miami games, the opponents put up good numbers, and the xG suggests the Revolution might have won their recent meeting, but Messi happened.

More Messi records

Messi scored both his side’s goals in New England, adding to the two he scored against Montréal.

From the three games immediately prior to the Club World Cup and the two immediately after, Messi has nine goals and four assists.

His brace against New England followed two-goal hauls against Montréal, Columbus Crew, and Montréal again, and made him the first player in MLS history to score multiple goals in four straight regular-season games.

You wouldn’t bet against him making it five.

The Surridge effect

Not all of the players joining MLS from Europe are high-profile names who create a stir back home on moving to, or indeed playing in, MLS.

Very few of them, though, regardless of profile, have been as successful as Sam Surridge has become this season in Nashville.

Having moved to MLS from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2023, Surridge’s first season and a half were steady and more than respectable, yielding 20 goals in 47 games in all competitions.

In 2025, though, Surridge has been the most prolific striker in the league, scoring 18 goals in 22 games across MLS and the US Open Cup.

While Messi is making the headlines once again, and making a late push to retain his MVP title from 2024, it is Surridge who tops the MLS goalscoring charts, two ahead of Messi.

Surridge’s tally does include five penalty kicks, but two goals in the Open Cup quarter-final win against DC United on Wednesday take him to 12 goals in his last eight games in all competitions.

There are few more in-form players in the league than Messi and Surridge, while Nashville still have a former MVP of their own in Hany Mukhtar, who could also cause Miami problems.

Prediction

If this were in Tennessee, you might fancy Nashville, but at home in Fort Lauderdale, the Herons should do enough to get a draw, with goals for both sides, as is almost always the case in games involving Inter Miami.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

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