Lionel Messi Picks, Predictions & Odds: Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami

Can Lionel Messi lead Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory ahead of his official MLS season debut? Here are our Lionel Messi Leagues Cup picks for Saturday's Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami matchup.

Inter Miami have won five of six matches in regulation since adding Messi. Before his signing, the club won just five of 22 games, and now they’re the Leagues Cup top scorers with 21 goals after managing only 22 goals in 22 MLS games.

Standing between Messi and Leagues Cup glory is a Nashville team that boasts the best defense in MLS this season. The Boys in Gold have allowed 22 goals in 23 MLS games and haven’t conceded in the Leagues Cup since the round of 16. 

Here is our best Lionel Messi Leagues Cup pick for Saturday's Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami matchup (odds via our best sports betting apps; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Lionel Messi pick: Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami

Parlay: Messi anytime scorer and Inter Miami ML (+150 via DraftKings, bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Lionel Messi is now tied with Josef Martinez as Inter Miami’s leading scorer in all competitions this season (9). Messi has achieved that in six games, Martinez has played 30. 

Miami’s number 10 has a shot conversion rate of 56.3%, averaging 52.7 minutes per goal. Barring catastrophic defending by the Herons, Messi will win the golden boot for this tournament. His first game for his new club was on July 21.

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Despite their strong defensive statistics, Nashville have only managed one clean sheet in their last 13 MLS games. Before the start of the Leagues Cup tournament, they lost three in a row. The Boys in Gold have given up nine goals in six Leagues Cup matches and won three games straight up (D2, L1). Their two draws in the knockout rounds went to penalty shootouts. 

The home advantage is with Nashville, but there’s huge momentum with Messi and Miami. The Argentine has scored in every game this tournament and Nashville don’t look like stopping him.

Lionel Messi best odds

DraftKings, bet365 (+150)

The best odds for Lionel Messi as an anytime scorer in this game is -135 via DraftKings. For comparison, FanDuel’s value is as low as -200. 

Inter Miami are -107 favorites SU at Caesars. Despite the home advantage, Nashville SC are as high as +255 at the same book. 

The Herons look as likely to win, as Messi does to score. Combining these into a parlay increases our return. DraftKings and bet365 have the best odds at +150. BetMGM is offering the combination as a play, not a parlay. 

Form is on our side with this play, which is why I’m confident putting four stars on it. 

Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami game info

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 19, 9 p.m. ET
• TV: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass
• Location: GEODIS Park, Nashville, TN
• Weather: 79 degrees, 7% chance of precipitation, 8 mph winds

Lionel Messi Leagues Cup pick made 08/18/2023 at 9 a.m. ET.

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