The Matchday 1 clash in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup between Bayern Munich (Germany) and Auckland City (New Zealand) will take place on June 15 at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, USA. Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Bayern Munich
The Munich side is one of 12 European representatives in the Club World Cup. Last season, Bayern reclaimed their Bundesliga title but only reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, marking their sixth consecutive appearance at this stage. This upcoming Club World Cup will be Bayern's third, having won the tournament in the 2013/14 and 2020/21 seasons. Vincent Kompany's team enters this match with a seven-game unbeaten streak in official matches (4 wins, 3 draws).
The club has signed contracts with defender Jonathan Tah and midfielder Tom Bischof. This will be Thomas Müller's last tournament in a Bayern jersey. Leroy Sané is also transferring to Galatasaray.
- In four Club World Cup matches, Bayern has not conceded a single goal.
- Bayern has scored at least two goals in 5 of their last 7 UEFA Champions League matches.
- Both teams scored in 5 of Bayern's last 7 Champions League games.
Predicted lineup for Bayern Munich (4-3-3)
Manuel Neuer – Josip Stanisic, Sacha Boey, Joshua Kimmich, Raphael Guerreiro – Michael Olise, Konrad Laimer, Leon Goretzka – Kingsley Coman, Harry Kane, Thomas Müller.
Auckland City
The New Zealanders have won the OFC Champions League for the fourth consecutive year, remaining unbeaten in 25 matches in the tournament (20 wins, 5 draws). However, Auckland City's Club World Cup results are significantly worse: in five consecutive editions, the club has been eliminated in the first round, scoring only one goal during this period. Nonetheless, the islanders have a Club World Cup medal, earned in the 2014/15 season in the third-place match. Auckland City has participated in the Club World Cup a record 11 times.
The New Zealanders have the lowest-valued squad in the tournament, with no standout players. Additionally, head coach Paul Posa will miss the tournament for personal reasons, with Ivan Vicelich taking over as interim manager.
- Auckland City has not won in 8 matches in this tournament (2 draws, 6 losses).
- In 5 of their last 6 Club World Cup matches, the team has conceded at least two goals.
- The New Zealanders have conceded first in 6 of their last 8 Club World Cup games.
Predicted lineup for Auckland City (3-5-2)
Conor Tracey – Adam Mitchell, Nikko Boxall, Nathan Lobo – David Yoo, Gerard Garriga, Dylan Manickum, Michael den Heijer, Haris Zeb – Myer Bevan, Jerson Lagos.
Referee
Issa Sy (Senegal)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2023/24–2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 40;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 29;
Penalties – 20%.
Match Prediction: Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City
With the new format, the New Zealanders will play more than their usual single match in the tournament, but it's unlikely Albert Riera's team will achieve any positive results. The class difference between Auckland City and the other group participants is enormous. Even the departing Bayern veteran Thomas Müller is valued higher than the entire islanders' squad.
For Bayern, this match should be a walk in the park. In the last two Club World Cups, the Germans scored a total of 8 goals, and in this upcoming game, Vincent Kompany's team could reach that number in one go. Bayern finished their national championship strongly, scoring 16 goals in 5 games. The level of resistance from the New Zealanders will be much lower. Consider that in the last tournament, Auckland City allowed Al-Ain from the UAE to score 6 times.
My prediction: Bayern individual total over 5.5 goals
