Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets are all set to return to the fold for Inter Miami’s midweek clash against Atlanta United.

The ex-Barcelona trio didn’t make the trip to BC Place over the weekend in Miami’s 2-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps — but it wasn’t due to injury. Miami boss Gerardo ‚Tata‘ Martino decided to give the veteran players the day off, and all three are expected to feature from the start vs Atlanta barring any last-minute knocks.

Miami’s latest win in British Columbia saw them keep their place at the summit of the Supporters‘ Shield race with 34 points collected from 16 matches played. Even without a few of their most important players, Miami don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon with seven wins from their last eight matches.

Atlanta, however, have been quite the opposite after starting the 2024 MLS season off in solid form. Since their 3-0 triumph over Chicago Fire on March 31, Atlanta have managed just two wins from 11 matches — a 3-0 victory over Charlotte Independence and a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Charleston Battery in US Open Cup play. With pressure continuing to mount on Gonzalo Pineda, the former Seattle Sounders assistant could be coaching for his job with each passing match.

Here’s 90min’s preview of the Herons vs the Five Stripes.

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Last meeting: Atlanta United 5-2 Inter Miami (16 September 2023) – MLS

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Current form (all competitions)

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It would be a bit of a shock if Messi, Busquets and Suarez didn’t feature in Martino’s starting lineup come Wednesday night after they’ve had over a week of rest. Martino will look to deploy his two best attackers up front, while Busquets will slot into the center of the midfielder after a shaky performance from Yannick Bright.

Although Federico Redondo is back in the swing of things with two appearances for Miami after returning from a knee problem, the Herons still have Diego Gomez and Robbie Robinson in the treatment room. Gomez is recovering from an ankle injury while Robinson has been sidelined with a knee problem.

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Inter Miami predicted lineup vs Atlanta United ( 4-3-3 ): Callender; Weigandt, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Alba; Redondo, Busquets, Cremaschi; Messi, Suarez, Taylor.

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Atlanta boss Gonzalo Pineda will have to make do without first-choice goalkeeper Brad Guzan after the veteran was shown a straight red card in the defeat to LAFC. Guzan was sent off for sticking out his right leg when Mateusz Bogusz was through on goal and was he was the last defender.

Even though Guzan’s shot-stopping abilities have declined in recent years, it’s still a huge loss of leadership for Atlanta as well as his on-the-ball capabilities when playing out from the back.

Guzan isn’t the only player who will miss the midweek contest against Miami. Star striker Giorgos Giakoumakis remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Noah Cobb and Tyler Wolff are dealing with their respective ankle and knee injuries. New defender Stian Gregersen looked to have exited the match against LAFC with a slight knock, so that will be something to keep an eye on as the match approaches.

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Atlanta United predicted lineup vs Inter Miami ( 4-2-3-1 ): Cohen; Lennon, Gregersen, Williams, Wiley; Lobjanidze, Almada, Silva; Rios.

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Miami will be the definite favorites to come away with three points in this one at home, especially with the returns of Messi, Busquets and Suarez to the starting lineup.

Atlanta may be able to snatch an early goal to stun the hosts, but it will be a comprehensive victory for the south Florida side in the end to extend their stay atop the MLS Supporters‘ Shield table with Suarez and Messi combining for a few goals.

Prediction: Inter Miami 3-1 Atlanta United

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