Lionel Messi roared in MLS, helping Inter Miami CF to a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul with a game-winning goal on his debut. So punters who bet on Messi to score a goal at any time (+115) cashed big.
Will luck be with La Pulga tonight when his club faces Atlanta United FC?
Atlanta currently sits in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference standings, while Miami is at the bottom. But Messi could be the magic that helps Miami move up the standings, as well as the odds board, one win at a time.
Speaking of victories, “America’s athletic audience loves winners,” noted FOX Sports Insider’s Martin Rogers, “but reserves its true reverence for those who do it with panache.”
And Messi made his debut in such style that his odds of goalscoring at any time against Tuesday’s opponent are -150.
So let’s take a look at the odds for Inter Miami’s game against Atlanta United, with the expert insight of Jason McIntyre.
ATLANTA UNITED FC vs. INTER MIAMI CF (7:30 p.m. ET)
Result at the end of the regulation:
money line: Inter Miami CF -110 favorites to win (bet $10 to win a total of $19.09); Atlanta United +180 underdogs to win (bet $10 to win $28 total)
Draw: +290 (bet $10 to win $39 total)
Over/Under 2.5 goals
On:-192 (bet $10 to win $15.21 total)
Low: +136 (bet $10 to win $23.60 total)
LIONEL MESSI BETTING
Messi to score a goal at any time: -150 (bet $10 to win $16.67 total)
Messi scores the first goal: +240 (bet $10 to win $34 total)
Messi to score two or more goals: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Messi to score a hat-trick: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Alexi reacts to the OUTRAGEOUS free kick of Lionel Messi’s victory against Cruz Azul
Alexi Lalas, Stu Holden, Heather O’Reilly and David Mosse react to Lionel Messi’s EXTRAORDINARY free kick against Cruz Azul.
Pick Through FOX Sports Betting Analyst jason mcintyre:
Lionel Messi produced a magical moment on his Inter Miami debut. What will you do for an encore?
Inter Miami claimed its first win in 11 games after Messi’s free kick dipped into the corner in the 93rd minute to produce a stunning 2-1 win over Cruz Azul. The victory means Miami can advance to the knockout rounds of the Leagues Cup with a win over Atlanta.
Miami is a home favorite (-110), but know that every time you bet on Miami, you will pay a Messi tax. That’s similar to the same tax you paid for years every time you wanted to bet on Tom Brady and the Patriots. The price will be slightly inflated because the public will gravitate towards the biggest star in the sport. Throw in former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, and casuals who want to bet on the game will take Miami.
Atlanta United hasn’t played in 10 days. That should be a huge plus as temperatures are expected to be in the 90s and there will still be plenty of moisture for the start. In addition, Atlanta recovers its best defender, Miles Robinson, from an injury. However, no defense can contain Messi, even at 36.
Keep an eye out for Atlanta’s Thiago Almada, a 22-year-old Argentinian who will surely be looking to showcase his former teammate on a big stage. Almada, along with Messi, became the first active MLS player to win a World Cup in December.
I don’t see any value in the side, but I do see that goals are being scored.
Messi, as a goal scorer at any time, has +110, and will take all free kicks within goal range. If he wants to take a midfielder over Almada to score the first goal at +850, he’ll give him a supporting interest other than Messi.
Over 2.5 goals is a bit juicy (-192), but there has been an upturn in scoring in the League Cup. More than three goals were scored in three of five games on Saturday and more than three goals in four of five games on Sunday. So it’s my favorite bet on the board.
NATIONAL TEAM: Over 2.5 goals scored by both teams combined -192 (bet $10 to win $15.21 total)
Download the FOX Super 6 app for a chance to win thousands of dollars in the biggest sporting events every week! Just make your selections and you could win the grand prize. Download and play today!
– Daily News Post