Following strong results in the Club World Cup up to this point, both Inter Miami and Palmeiras require only a tie in their upcoming match to guarantee progression to the knockout stage. However, given that the group winner will play against the second-place team from Group B, there`s a significant motivation to secure a victory, especially if Paris Saint-Germain finishes first in their group.
Although the group winners might face PSG in the next round, teams shouldn`t overthink potential matchups before this game. The primary objective is to advance and ensure the full squad is fit for the round of 16; other considerations are secondary.
Here are the match details, how you can watch, and more:
Match Details & Odds
- Date: Monday, June 23
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
- TV Broadcast: TBS
- Betting Odds: Miami +450, Draw +137, Palmeiras +120
Recent History
This upcoming match marks the first official encounter between Inter Miami and Palmeiras.
Will Lionel Messi play?
Leading up to the game, Lionel Messi trained with the team but felt thigh discomfort during the match against Porto. As this is the third game in a short period, coach Javier Mascherano might consider resting Messi or using him only if necessary. However, given Palmeiras` performance in the tournament, Miami might risk elimination if Messi doesn`t play, increasing the importance of his potential involvement.
Group A Qualification Scenarios
Here`s how teams in Group A can qualify for the Round of 16:
Palmeiras advance with:
- A win or draw against Inter Miami.
- A loss to Inter Miami AND Al Ahly wins over Porto OR Porto wins over Al Ahly AND Palmeiras finishes ahead of Porto on goal difference.
Inter Miami advance with:
- A win or draw against Palmeiras.
- A loss to Palmeiras AND Porto wins over Al Ahly OR Inter Miami finishes ahead of Al Ahly on goal difference.
Porto advance with:
- A win against Al Ahly AND Palmeiras` loss to Inter Miami AND Porto finishes ahead of Palmeiras on goal difference.
Al Ahly advance with:
- A win against Porto AND Inter Miami`s loss to Palmeiras AND Al Ahly finishes ahead of Inter Miami on goal difference.
Player to Watch
Estevao, Palmeiras: The young winger, set to join Chelsea, has emerged as one of the standout talents in this tournament. Having earned Man of the Match awards in both previous games, he is expected to be key to Palmeiras` attack against Miami. His ability to penetrate the defense could pose significant problems for Inter Miami. At just 18, his current impact is particularly impressive given his potential for further development.
Prediction
With player fitness likely a priority, the match might begin at a high tempo but could settle into a more conservative pace, potentially leading both teams to accept a draw to conclude the group stage.
Prediction: Inter Miami 1, Palmeiras 1
Adrian Whitmore 
Benedict Kingsley