Inter Miami Cf vs Columbus Crew Picks and Predictions May 31st 2025

Revived Inter Miami Set to Face Shaky Crew

Inter Miami are starting to hit their stride just in time, and once again, Lionel Messi is at the heart of it all. After snapping a four-match winless streak with a thrilling 4-2 win over CF Montreal, Miami looks to maintain momentum on Saturday when they host a struggling Columbus Crew squad at Chase Stadium.

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Messi was sensational on Wednesday, scoring twice and assisting on another as Miami (7-3-5, 26 points) returned to winning ways in dominant fashion. His first and fourth goals bookended the performance, while his vision set up Luis Suárez for the second of Miami’s four tallies.

“He makes everything look easy,” said Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano. “That’s the player that we have to follow because he shows us the way to be able to compete in a very good way.”

Injury Concerns for Miami, Trouble in Columbus

Despite the win, Inter Miami took a hit defensively. Jordi Alba is set to miss at least two weeks with a muscle injury, and fellow defenders Gonzalo Luján and Toto Avilés also exited Wednesday’s match with injuries. That leaves Mascherano’s back line thin as they prepare to face a Columbus team hungry for a turnaround.

The Crew (7-2-7, 28 points) are mired in a five-match winless streak and have tumbled from first to fourth in the Eastern Conference. Since a commanding 4-2 win over Charlotte on May 3, the club has gone 0-4-1, conceding early goals and struggling to maintain their defensive identity.

“This season, we do a good job defensively,” said Crew coach Wilfried Nancy. “But the last few games… in terms of key moments, we are a bit average.”

Backup goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen has allowed five goals across the last two matches while filling in for the injured Patrick Schulte, making 12 saves but facing constant pressure. The Crew have allowed the first goal in four of their last five matches — a worrying trend against a Miami side brimming with confidence and attacking flair.

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With Messi firing on all cylinders and the Crew reeling, this Eastern Conference clash should offer key insights for those analyzing MLS Game Forecasts and Soccer Betting Picks this weekend.

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