Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras lineups, team news, score prediction: Messi guns for Club World Cup knockouts

After a famous win over Porto, Inter Miami find themselves in pole position for a knockout-stage berth as they meet Brazilian giants Palmeiras on Monday.

Ahead of their final group-stage match, the Herons sit second in Group A on four points, level with group leaders Palmeiras and only behind on goal differential.

A draw would see both clubs safely into the knockout stage, but defeat for either one would leave them vulnerable to capture by those below. With Porto and Al Ahly on a single point each, either of those two sides could catch a potential loser of this game with victory, leaving it up to goal differential.

Even having beaten Porto, Inter Miami will find their path to the knockout stage difficult. Palmeiras won the Brazilian league title in 2022 and 2023, and finished second in 2024.

The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides.

Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras lineups, team news

While Inter Miami have built their team around Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the rest of the attack is extremely thin in terms of a supporting cast. MLS veteran Fafa Picault is back with the Herons after playing for Haiti in their two World Cup qualifiers earlier this month, departing before the Gold Cup to instead play in the Club World Cup.

Starting goalkeeper Drake Callender has been dealing with a hernia for months and is unlikely to participate in this competition at all after having surgery. Backup Oscar Ustari recovered from a precautionary exit from a late May MLS game and will continue in goal after starring in the team's first two matches.

Versatile midfielder David Ruiz is back after a muscle issue but only training on his own, as is Yannick Bright. Jordi Alba has returned from his own hamstring injury and could be in line for his first start of the Club World Cup after coming off the bench against Porto. Almost certainly out is Gonzalo Lujan, who have been absent from training due to hamstring complaints.

Inter Miami predicted lineup (4-4-2, right to left): Ustari (GK) — Weigandt, Allen, Falcon, Fray — Allende, Cremaschi, Busquets, Segovia — Messi, Suarez

Injured: Bright (hamstring), Lujan (hamstring), Callender (hernia)
Suspended: None

Full Inter Miami squad

Goalkeepers: Drake Callender, Oscar Ustari, Rocco Rios Novo, William Yarbrough

Defenders: Jordi Alba, Noah Allen, Tomas Aviles, Israel Boatwright, Max Falcon, Ian Fray, Tyler Hall, Gonzalo Lujan, David Martinez, Marcelo Weigandt

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Yannick Bright, Benjamin Cremaschi, Santiago Morales, Federico Redondo, Baltasar Rodriguez, David Ruiz

Forwards: Leo Afonso, Tadeo Allande, Lionel Messi, Allen Obando, Fabrice Picault, Luis Suarez.

Palmeiras have multiple Brazil internationals in their squad, including 18-year-old Chelsea-bound winger Estevao and midfielder Raphael Veiga. Also along the back line is Paraguay veteran Gustavo Gomez who boasts 81 caps for his national team.

They also sport former Barcelona striker Vitor Roque who signed from the La Liga giants last winter and has scored just three goals for the club in that time.

Midfielder Anibal Moreno suffered a thigh injury in their 2-0 win over Al Ahly last time out and could be replaced by Emiliano Martinez. Winger Bruno Rodrigues has a knee problem and has not appeared all season, while 19-year-old midfielder Figueiredo is out for the season with a torn ACL.

Palmeiras predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Weverton (GK) — Glay, Gomez, Cerqueira, Piquerez — Rios, Veiga, Martinez — Estevao, Roque, Torres

Injured: Moreno (thigh, doubt), Rodrigues (knee), Figueiredo (ACL)
Suspended: None

Full Palmeiras squad

Goalkeepers: Marcelo Lomba, Mateus, Weverton

Defenders: Benedetti, Bruno Fuchs, Agustin Giay, Gustavo Gomez, Mayke, Micael, Murilo, Naves, Joaquin Piquerez, Marcos Rocha, Vanderlan

Midfielders: Allan, Felipe Anderson, Lucas Evangelista, Emiliano Martinez, Anibal Moreno, Richard Rios, Raphael Veiga

Forwards: Estevao, Luighi, Jose Manuel Lopez, Mauricio, Paulinho, Vitor Roque, Thalys, Facundo Torres.

Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras score prediction

Inter Miami have done very well to this point, but they have overperformed, relying on their goalkeeper far too much. Palmeiras, meanwhile, dominated both of their first two matches, even in the scoreless draw with Porto where they put up 2.08 xG and failed to score.

The MLS club will have a mountain to climb if they wish to keep up, and it's unlikely they can accomplish it. Inter Miami will have to just keep it close if they wish to qualify for the knockout stage.

Prediction: Inter Miami 0-2 Palmeiras

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras: Live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this Club World Cup group stage match across selected areas of the world's major regions: