Inter Miami CF and star forward Lionel Messi are looking for redemption following last year’s disappointing playoff exit when they face New York City FC in their season opener on Saturday. After leading the league with 74 points in 2024, Inter Miami was eliminated in the playoffs by Atlanta United (3-2) on their home turf.

New York City FC, finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference with 50 points last year, will also be eager for a strong start.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami is listed at -180, while New York City FC is at +425, with a draw paying out +340. The over/under for total goals is 3.5.

Before you make any picks, be sure to check out Brandt Sutton’s analysis of this matchup on SportsLine.

Why You Should Back Inter Miami

Messi, now 37, transformed the franchise since joining in August 2023, scoring 23 goals in 25 appearances last season, including 20 goals in 19 league matches. His prolific goal-scoring record, primarily with Barcelona, totals 749 goals in 924 matches.

Luis Suarez has been a key player too, contributing with one goal and three assists across the last three friendlies.

Why You Should Back New York City FC

Adrian Martinez, returning as top scorer for New York City FC, netted 17 goals and three assists in 30 appearances last year. Another key player is Santiago Rodriguez, who achieved 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 matches.

How to Make Picks

Sutton has assessed every aspect of this match and found a critical difference that might impact the results. Before placing your bets, head over to SportsLine for in-depth insights.