The Matchday 1 encounter of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup between Monterrey (Mexico) and Inter Milan (Italy) will take place on June 18 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, USA. Monterrey vs. Inter Milan: prediction, betting odds, and statistics.
Monterrey
The club will represent the CONCACAF region in the FIFA Club World Cup, having earned their spot by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League. Monterrey will participate in the Club World Cup for the sixth time, with their best achievement being third place (twice). In the recently concluded national championship, the team finished at the quarter-final stage of the playoffs. In this season's CONCACAF Champions League, the Mexican side was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Vancouver.
Ahead of the Club World Cup, Monterrey appointed a new head coach, Domenec Torrent. They also signed goalkeeper Santiago Mele. Notable players include experienced defender Sergio Ramos and forward German Berterame, who was Monterrey's top scorer this season with 22 goals across all competitions.
- At least three goals were scored in regular time in 6 of the team's last 7 matches at the Club World Cup.
- Both teams scored within 90 minutes in 6 of the club's last 7 encounters in this tournament.
- Monterrey conceded exactly one or two goals in regular time in their last seven matches at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Predicted lineup for Monterrey (4-5-1)
Esteban Andrada – Ricardo Chavez, Jorge Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos, Gerardo Arteaga – Fidel Ambriz, Stefan Medina, Nelson Deossa, Sergio Canales, Roberto de la Rosa – German Berterame.
Inter Milan
The Italians will participate in the Club World Cup thanks to their high club ranking over the past four years in the UEFA classification. Inter Milan will play in the Club World Cup for only the second time, having won the tournament in 2010 by defeating TP Mazembe from Congo 3-0 in the final. In the recently concluded season, the club finished second in the Italian championship and reached the UEFA Champions League final, where they were defeated by PSG (0-5).
Ahead of the Club World Cup, Inter appointed a new head coach, with Cristian Chivu replacing Simone Inzaghi. Additionally, forward Joaquin Correa left the team, and midfielders Luis Enrique Lima and Petar Sucic were signed as replacements. Notable players include forward Lautaro Martinez, who scored 22 goals in all competitions this season, becoming the club's top scorer.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 8 of their last 9 UEFA Champions League matches (5 wins, 3 draws).
- At least three goals were scored within 90 minutes in the team's last six matches in this European competition.
- Both teams scored in regular time in 5 of Inter's last 6 matches in the UEFA Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Inter Milan (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer – Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni – Denzel Dumfries, Kristjan Asllani, Nicolo Barella, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco – Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez.
Defender Yann Bisseck will miss the match due to injury. Additionally, forward Marko Arnautovic will not travel to the Club World Cup, and his fellow forward Mehdi Taremi is yet to join the club after national team duties with Iran.
Referee
Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2024–2025);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 25;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 33%.
Monterrey vs. Inter Milan: Match Prediction
The Mexicans are seasoned participants in the FIFA Club World Cup and have often excelled in attacking play. Throughout their participation in this tournament, Monterrey has played 11 matches and failed to score in only one of them over 90 minutes, that being against Al Ahly Cairo. The club has faced European teams twice at the Club World Cup, against Liverpool and Chelsea, scoring in both encounters.
Inter Milan boasts one of the strongest squads in the FIFA Club World Cup and has rarely faced issues in creating chances this season. On the international stage, the Italians have been prolific, failing to score only against PSG in their last nine UEFA Champions League matches, while scoring at least twice in regular time in seven of those games. However, Inter has not kept a clean sheet in their last six matches in this European competition.
I expect to see a high-scoring match from both opponents, so my prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
