Related items

• Inter Miami v Chicago Fire: Messi missing again as title tilt continues

  Inter Miami will again be without injured superstar Lionel Messi as they look to continue on their course for the Supporters' Shield on Saturday.

  Miami will host Chicago Fire with Messi absent, just as he was for the midweek home win over Toronto FC.

  "Leo will continue to be evaluated by our medical staff week to week," coach Tata Martino said.

  "We will see how he recuperates without taking any type of risk."

  Messi suffered an ankle injury while on Copa America duty with Argentina, winning that competition but appearing to hamper Inter's title hopes in the process.

  But Martino's men are still well placed to achieve their goals, starting with the regular-season championship.

  With victory over Toronto, in which Federico Redondo took centre stage with two goals, Miami became the first team to reach 50 points this season.

  They have achieved that feat within 24 games, joining esteemed company. The only six teams to previously tally 50 points inside 24 games have gone on to win the Supporters' Shield.

  Next opponents Chicago at least head into this encounter off the back of a win of their own, beating FC Cincinnati on the road on Wednesday.

  "When you come on the road and get a result like this, it's a great team effort," said Fire coach Frank Klopas.

  "Certain guys are playing really well at the moment, but I still feel that everyone can give more. There's a lot more potential in there with the group.

  "That's why this game on Saturday is so massive for us."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Inter Miami – Federico Redondo

  Miami may be missing Messi, but the supporting cast has consistently stepped up this season. They have had four different players score two or more goals in a match, tied for the most in MLS.

  The latest of those was Redondo, scoring his first goals in MLS against Toronto. With an assist in that game, too, he will hope that is the start of a strong run of game.

  Chicago Fire – Brian Gutierrez

  The Fire have had just three goals from substitutes in 2024, yet two of those have been among their past three goals. The latest, their winner against Cincy, saw Gutierrez emerge from the bench to score.

  The midfielder will not want that to develop into a consistent theme, however, surely preferring to play from the start. He had done so in each prior game going back to April.

  MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

  Chicago have actually won four of their six games against Miami, including the past three in a row.

  But New York City FC are the only team to further extend such a streak against Miami, and their run of five straight victories ended back in 2022. Miami are a very different prospect in 2024.

  Their stretch of scoring in 10 consecutive MLS matches is a club record, with their tally of 19 goals across those games showing the task that lies before Chicago – with or without Messi.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Inter Miami – 64.2%
  Chicago Fire – 16.7%
  Draw – 19.1%

• Schmeichel reunites with Rodgers at Celtic

  Kasper Schmeichel has signed a one-year deal with Celtic, while reuniting with former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers.

  The Denmark goalkeeper joins the reigning Scottish Premiership champions as a free agent after his departure from Belgian side Anderlecht, where he spent a single season.

  Schmeichel, who also spent a year with Ligue 1 outfit Nice in 2022-23, brings plenty of experience to Celtic Park, following his 11-year stint with Leicester.

  The 37-year-old helped the Foxes to their fairy-tale Premier League triumph in 2016, along with their FA Cup success five years later.

  Rodgers was Schmeichel's coach in his final three years at the King Power Stadium, and both are excited to renew that working relationship.

  "I am absolutely delighted to join Celtic and can't wait to get started," Schmeichel told the club's official website.

  "Celtic is one of the world's proper football clubs, a massive name and a place of real passion and success. Celtic is what football is all about. 

  "I know Brendan very well, too. He is a top manager and someone I can't wait to work with again. 

  "I'm really looking forward to meeting up with the boys [on their pre-season tour] in America and starting our work and then, of course, meeting our fans who bring so much to Celtic.

  "I will be doing all I can to keep Celtic on top and bring these brilliant supporters more and more success."

  "I am really pleased to bring Kasper to Celtic," Rodgers added. "He is a real quality keeper and someone with the ability and personality to be great for us.

  "He is a guy I trust and someone who knows how to win. He lives for football, and he is coming to a club where he will feel the same passion that he has for the game.

  "I know he will feel right at home at Celtic, and we look forward to working with him as we all aim for more success."

• Leverkusen complete Terrier signing as Alonso bolsters attack

  Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of Rennes forward Martin Terrier in a deal worth around €20million.

  The French forward has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the reigning Bundesliga champions.

  Terrier is Xabi Alonso's third signing ahead of the 2024-25 season, joining Jeanuel Belocian and Aleix Garcia at BayArena.

  The 27-year-old scored 42 goals across his last three seasons with Rennes, despite missing nine months of action with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

  "It's been my wish to move to a big club abroad in Europe after seven years as a professional in France," he told the club's official website. 

  "The fact I now get to show my skills with the German double winners is magnificent and a special motivation for me.

  "Bayer 04 also made headlines in France with their achievements last season. It's fantastic to be a part of this team from now on."

  "In Martin Terrier, we've gained a prolific, fast and intelligent forward," Leverkusen's managing director for sport, Simon Rolfes added.

  "Martin is a strong finisher and versatile - a good footballer who fits into our team superbly with his profile. We're delighted he's decided to join us."