Still without Lionel Messi, Inter Miami continue their Supporters' Shield chase as they visit the Chicago Fire in MLS regular season action on Saturday.
The Herons have been without their Argentine superstar since he suffered a nasty-looking ankle injury in the Copa America final nearly two months ago. He isn't quite ready to get back on the pitch just yet, although he has returned to individual training to indicate he may be getting close.
In his absence, Inter Miami have managed to sustain their spot atop not only the Eastern Conference but also the MLS overall table, although they were denied in an attempt to defend their Leagues Cup during his absence as well.
Chicago, meanwhile, are having a tough season. They were bounced in the group stage of the Leagues Cup and sit 13th in the East, which sounds dire but leaves them just two points from the last playoff spot, so every possible result counts.
Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami live stream, TV channel
This match was not selected for television broadcast, so it will be aired exclusively on MLS Season Pass from Apple TV . Every match all season long is accessible on MLS Season Pass , including the entirety of the postseason.
MORE: Find out which MLS matches are available for free each week on Apple TV
What time is Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami kickoff?
This MLS match kicks off from Soldier Field on Saturday, August 31 at 7:30 p.m. local time in Chicago, Illinois.
Here's how that time translates across the time zones in North America:
| Date | Kickoff time |
| Eastern Time | Sat, Aug. 31 | 8:30 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sat, Aug. 31 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sat, Aug. 31 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sat, Aug. 31 | 5:30 p.m. |
MORE: Find out which games are streaming free on MLS Season pass from Apple TV each week
Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami lineups & team news
The only Chicago Fire players shelved due to injury are Fabian Herbers who is down for a few weeks with a leg injury, and Chase Gasper who is out for a bit as well.
Chicago Fire projected starting lineup (3-5-2): Brady (GK) — Souquet, Teran, Czichos — Arigoni, Gimenez, Gutierrez, Acosta, Gutman — Cuypers, Haile-Selassie.
Lionel Messi is not yet ready to return from his ankle injury, but has made his way back to individual training en route to an eventual return to competitive action.
Center-back Tomas Aviles is suspended for this match after being sent off last time out, the latest in Tata Martino's growing disciplinary issue amongst the Inter Miami squad. Leo Afonso is down for two months after hernia surgery, while Facundo Farias and Nicolas Freire are both out with ACL tears.
Inter Miami projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Callender (GK) — Weigandt, Kryvtsov, H. Martinez, Alba — Cremaschi, Busquets, Redondo — Rojas, Suarez, D. Gomez.
Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami prediction, betting odds & lines
- Score prediction: Chicago Fire 1-3 Inter Miami
Inter Miami have been somewhat poor on the road, but they're a strong enough and well-coached enough team to get a result in this match, especially after having already beaten the Fire handily just before the Leagues Cup.
It's honestly shocking how evenly spread the odds are for this match given the disparity in form and talent between these sides.
| BetMGM
(USA) |
| Chicago Fire win | +150 |
| Draw | +270 |
| Inter Miami win | +145 |
Both teams
to score | Y: -210
N: +145 |
Over / Under
3.5 goals | O: +125
U: -185 |
Inter Miami
-0.5 goals | +135 |
Chicago Fire
+0.5 goals | -200 |
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