US Open Cup

2023 U.S. Open Cup odds, predictions: Bettors big on Lionel Messi, Inter Miami

Updated Aug. 23, 2023 1:35 p.m. ET

Lionel Messi has made money for bettors who have backed the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner (world's best player) since he joined Inter Miami of Major League Soccer.

Messi has 10 goals and an assist in his first seven matches — all en route to winning the Leagues Cup title, Inter Miami's first trophy.

Next up for the soccer legend and Inter Miami is a U.S. Open Cup semifinal match at MLS foe FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night. Can Messi keep it going?

Let's look at the odds for the U.S. Open Cup match with insights and picks from FOX Sports Betting Analyst Jason McIntyre.

INTER MIAMI CF AT FC CINCINNATI
7 p.m. ET Wednesday, Peacock/Paramount+

Result at the end of regulation

Moneyline: Inter Miami CF +105 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total); FC Cincinnati +195 (bet $10 to win $29.50 total)
Draw: +270 (bet $10 to win $37 total)

Over/Under 2.5 goals

Over: -205 (bet $10 to win $14.88 total)
Under: +144 (bet $10 to win $24.40 total)

And since Messi has been on fire, the public is hammering the following bets today:

To advance: Inter Miami -130 (95% of tickets, 99% of handle)
Messi to score anytime goal: -145 (bet $10 to win $16.90 total)
Messi to score first goal: +280 (bet $10 to win $38 total)
Messi to score two or more goals: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Lionel Messi to score three or more goals: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Messi to score a hat trick: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Messi to be named Man of the Match: -165 (bet $10 to win $16.06 total)

*odds as of 8/23/2023

Picks via FOX Sports Betting Analyst Jason McIntyre:

After capturing the prestigious Leagues Cup title over the weekend, Miami and Lionel Messi hit the road to battle the top team in the MLS standings, FC Cincinnati (15 wins, three losses, six draws, 51 points).

The Orange and Blue are unbeaten at home this season (11-0-1) but find themselves underdogs (+190 moneyline) against the Lionel Messi train. Will there be some pullback from Miami after celebrating the Leagues Cup crown? Possibly. Could fatigue be a factor?

Cincinnati has played one game in the last 18 days, and that was a 3-0 loss to the Columbus Crew. There could be a shock to the system when Messi, Jordi Alba, Josef Martinez & Co. are coming at you.

Miami is a runaway truck, and you’d be foolish to step in front of it now. Until Messi doesn’t score in a game, you’ve got to keep betting it since you’re playing with house money. The confidence this team is playing with is off the charts.

PICK: Lionel Messi anytime goalscorer (bet $10 to win $16.90 total)
PICK: Inter Miami moneyline (bet $10 to win $20.50 total)
PICK: Correct score, Inter Miami 2-1 (+800, bet $10 to win $90 total)