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USATSI

A pair of trending teams are on a collision course in Friday's Leagues Cup quarterfinals when Inter Miami CF battles Charlotte FC. Both teams have advanced farther than many would have suspected. Inter Miami are coming off a come-from-behind win over FC Dallas on Sunday. After the match ended in a 4-4 draw, Inter Miami won 5-3 on penalty kicks. Charlotte FC, meanwhile, outlasted the Houston Dynamo 2-1 on Monday.

Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami are listed at -215 (risk $215 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line, while Charlotte FC are +490. A 90-minute draw would return +375 in the latest Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC odds, and the over/under for total goals is 3.5. Before making any Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami picks or 2023 Leagues Cup predictions, be sure to see what proven SportsLine soccer insider Brandt Sutton is saying.

Sutton, a former collegiate soccer player, has been SportsLine's top soccer editor since 2017. He has followed soccer closely for much longer and factors in managerial tactics, projected lineups and past performances to make the most-informed decisions possible, keeping his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe. 

Sutton finished the 2022-23 Champions League season with a 16-7 record (+8.93 units) on SportsLine's UCL pick sheet. He also finished 2022 as SportsLine's No. 1 soccer expert with a 165-130-2 mark, returning nearly $2,200 for $100 players.

Now, Sutton has taken an in-depth look at Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC and just locked in his picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the betting lines for Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami:

  • Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC spread: Inter Miami -1.5 (+120), Charlotte FC +1.5 (-150)
  • Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC over/under: 3.5 goals
  • Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC money line: Inter Miami -215, Charlotte +490, Draw +375
  • MIA: Inter Miami have outscored Leagues Cup opponents 13-6 in 2023
  • CHA: Charlotte are 1-2 all-time against Inter Miami, winning 1-0 on May 7, 2022
  • Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why you should back Inter Miami

Powering the Inter Miami offense is 36-year-old Lionel Messi. The forward from Argentina already has seven goals in four appearances, including three starts. He has had a spectacular debut and it began in his first match as a substitute, when he scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul. He followed that up with two goals in each of the next three matches for Inter Miami. In 889 career matches, he has scored 722 goals.

Also helping provide offense is forward Josef Martinez, who has one goal and one assist in four appearances in Leagues Cup play. He has taken six shots, with two on target, including four in a 3-1 win over Orlando on Aug. 2. During MLS action, Martinez leads Inter Miami in scoring with six goals and one assist in 20 appearances, including 15 starts. He has registered 35 shots, with 13 being on target. See which team to back here.

Why you should back Charlotte FC

Forward Karol Swiderski has helped power Charlotte in Leagues Cup play, with two goals and two assists. He has taken nine shots during the competition, including six on target. Swiderski has also been a force in MLS play for Charlotte. In 20 appearances, including 19 starts, the 26-year-old has seven goals and three assists.

Midfielder Brandt Bronico has also contributed to Charlotte's offense. In four Leagues Cup matches, he has one goal on five shots, including one on target. The 28-year-old from the U.S. has made 21 appearances in MLS action, scoring one goal and assisting on two others. See which team to back here.

How to make Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC picks

Sutton has taken an intensive look at the Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC matchup and locked in a confident best bet. He's only sharing his pick and analysis on SportsLine.

What is the best bet for Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami on Friday? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bet for Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC, all from SportsLine's top soccer expert in 2022, and find out.