Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew prediction, projected lineups, how to watch | OneFootball

Before two huge continental games later in the weekend, Saturday night in MLS begins with an intriguing clash between Inter Miami and the Columbus Crew that could prove a turning point in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Here's everything you need to know about fourth-place Columbus' trip to face sixth-place Miami.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew

Time: Saturday, May 31, 7:30 pm ET

Venue: Chase Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Tickets: Click here

TV & streaming: Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass

Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew projected lineups

The attacking tandem of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are healthy and coming off scoring a brace each in a 4-2 midweek win over CF Montreal.

But manager Javier Mascherano will be dealing with a significantly depleted rearguard as Jordi Alba, Yannick Bright and Gonzalo Lujan join the ranks of the injured and unavailable.

Meanwhile, Columbus faces a second game without goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, who has also been forced to withdraw from the upcoming U.S. men's national team camp with an abdominal injury.

For all Miami's struggles, Columbus has also stumbled recently in going five matches without a victory, which could prompt Wilfried Nancy to try something a little different formationally.

Inter Miami projected lineup (4-4-2, right to left)

Oscas Ustari (GK) - Ian Fray, Tomas Aviles, Noah Allen, David Martinez - Fafa Picault, Federico Redondo, Sergio Busquets, Benjamin Cremaschi - Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez

Columbus Crew projected lineup (3-4-3, right to left)

Nico Hagen (GK) - Steven Moreira, Yevhen Cheberko, Malte Amundsen - Mo Farsi, Dylan Chambost, Darlington Nagbe, Max Arfsten - Daniel Gazdag, Jacen Russell-Rowe, Diego Rossi

Player status report

Inter Miami: Jordi Alba - hamstring (out), Yannick Bright - hamstring (out), Drake Callender - sports hernia (out), Gonzalo Luján - hamstring (out), Baltasar Rodriguez - hamstring (out), David Ruiz - hamstring (out). Columbus Crew: Rudy Camacho - thigh (out), Patrick Schulte - torso (out), Sean Zawadzki - knee (out).

Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew prediction

Both team are in a rough spell, but it's really hard to ignore Miami's defensive vulnerabilities at the moment.

This is a Columbus side that will feel it should've scored at least a couple of goals in their previous 1-0 loss to the Herons in Cleveland back in April. And it's a Miami squad that could return to all of its negative thinking patterns over the last few weeks should they fall behind early.

The visitors are the team to back here in another high-scoring encounter, as most of the games involving Miami seem to be these days. It might also be a breakthrough day for Daniel Gazdag, who is still looking to make an impact with his new club but has enjoyed playing in Florida before.