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Lionel Messi could return from his injury in the nick of time as Inter Miami host FC Cincinnati in a must-win game down the stretch of the MLS season.
Inter Miami’s playoff chase is barely drawing breath, with the club needing to win here or face potential elimination from the postseason should other outside results go against them.
Messi has missed the past four games with a scar-tissue problem in his leg, and with the club making very little information available on the subject, it’s been tough to gauge when he could return. However, a report from Argentina indicates that, having been called up to the national team for the coming international break despite his injury, a return is possible in this match.
Without Messi, Inter Miami have failed to win any of their four games, putting them in a precarious position as the race for a postseason berth heats up down the stretch. Therefore, his return would be a welcome and timely turn of events, but what role he’s capable of playing remains to be seen.
MORE: Can Inter Miami make the MLS playoffs? Chances slim but hope still shines
Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati live stream, TV channel
MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with Fubo in USA
What time does Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati kick off?
This MLS regular-season match at DRV PNK Stadium kicks off on Saturday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. local time in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:
Date
Kickoff time
USA/Canada
Sat, Oct. 7
7:30 p.m. ET
USA/Canada
Sat, Oct. 7
4:30 p.m. PT
UK
Sun, Oct. 8
12:30 a.m. BST
Australia
Sun, Oct. 8
9:30 a.m. AEST
India
Sun, Oct. 8
5 a.m. IST
Hong Kong
Sun, Oct. 8
7:30 a.m. HKT
Malaysia
Sun, Oct. 8
7:30 a.m. MYT
Singapore
Sun, Oct. 8
7:30 a.m. SGT
New Zealand
Sun, Oct. 8
11:30 a.m. NZST
Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati projected lineups & team news
There is a report that Lionel Messi could finally make his return from injury, but it’s unclear in what capacity he could be involved. It still feels unlikely that Messi would start, but he could instead potentially play a role off the bench.
Jordi Alba remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, missing the same amount of matches as Messi and without a known timeline for a return. There are also questions regarding the fitness of in-form striker Leonardo Campana who missed the midweek defeat to the Chicago Fire with a muscle injury, although Gerardo Martino described his injury as “minor”.
Important midfielder Gregore, who has missed most of the season with a foot injury, is back in training and should return to the field at some point, although when is not known. Defender Tomas Aviles is back from suspension and could play a role if Martino decides to play with three center-backs.
Inter Miami projected starting lineup (5-3-2): Callender (GK) — Yedlin, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Miller, Taylor — Mota, Busquets, Cremaschi — Farias, Martinez.
Defender Alvas Powell is suspended for the match after being sent off against the New York Red Bulls last time out, with Santiago Arias likely to step in at right-back.
FC Cincinnati are otherwise light on availability concerns, with only a leg injury for Arquimides Ordonez and a long-term injury to young midfielder Stiven Jimenez to worry about.
Talisman forward Luciano Acosta was partially rested midweek, coming off the bench to score the team’s only goal against the Red Bulls in 32 minutes of play, so he will be ready to go as he chases the league’s Golden Boot award. So too was Alvaro Barreal who leads the team in minutes and also logged just 32 of them on Wednesday.
FC Cincinnati projected starting lineup (5-4-1): Kann (GK) — Arias, Hagglund, Miazga, Mosquera, Gaddis — Kubo, Nwobodo, Acosta, Barreal — Boupendza.
Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati betting odds & lines
In Canada, bet MLS at Sports Interaction: See the latest odds for Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati here
Miami
win
Draw
FC Cincy
win
Both teams
to score Y / N
Over / Under
2.5 goals
MIA
-0.5
CIN
+0.5
BetMGM
(USA)
-105
+275
+240
-185 / +125
-175 / +120
-115
-125