The Matchday 1 encounter of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup between Palmeiras (Brazil) and Porto (Portugal) will be held on June 16 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, USA. Palmeiras vs. Porto: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Palmeiras
The team will represent CONMEBOL and is participating in the FIFA Club World Cup following their victory in the 2021 Copa Libertadores. This will be Palmeiras' third appearance in the tournament, with their best result being a second-place finish in 2021 after losing to Chelsea 1-2 in the final. In the current Brazilian championship, the team is in fourth place, trailing leaders Flamengo by just two points. In the current Copa Libertadores, Palmeiras confidently advanced to the playoffs by topping their group with six wins in six matches.
Notably, the Brazilian side boasts the most expensive squad among non-European teams in the Club World Cup. Two promising forwards, Estevão and Vitor Roque, stand out, with the former set to join Chelsea after the tournament and the latter acquired from Barcelona this winter.
- The team has not lost in regular time in their last 15 Copa Libertadores matches (12 wins, 3 draws).
- Palmeiras players have scored at least twice in 90 minutes in 5 of their last 6 matches in this tournament.
- Palmeiras has kept a clean sheet in 8 of their last 11 Copa Libertadores games in regular time.
Predicted lineup for Palmeiras (3-4-3)
Weverton – Augustin Giay, Gustavo Gomez, Murilo Cerqueira – Mayke, Richard Rios, Emiliano Martinez, Joaquin Piquerez – Estevão, Vitor Roque, Facundo Torres.
Porto
The club will represent UEFA at the FIFA Club World Cup and will participate in this tournament for the first time. Porto qualified for the Club World Cup thanks to their high ranking in the European classification over the past four years. Last season, the team participated in the Europa League but was eliminated in the Round of 16, losing to Roma (1-1, 2-3). In the recently concluded Portuguese championship, the club finished third, 11 points behind champions Sporting.
In Porto's squad, one of the world's most valuable goalkeepers, Diogo Costa, stands out. In attack, forward Samu Aghehowa is notable, having scored 19 goals in the past Portuguese championship, ranking among the top three scorers. Additionally, before the Club World Cup, the club acquired midfielder Gabriel Veiga.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 6 of their last 9 Champions League matches (5 wins, 1 draw).
- Porto has conceded in 6 of their last 8 Champions League matches in regular time.
- The Portuguese side has not scored more than twice in regular time in 8 of their last 11 matches in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Porto (3-4-3)
Diogo Costa – Nehuén Pérez, Ivan Marcano, Zé Pedro – João Mário, André Franco, Fábio Vieira, Francisco Moura – Pepe Aquino, Samu Aghehowa, Rodrigo Mora de Carvalho.
Referee
Said Martinez (Honduras)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2023–2025);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 32;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 32;
Penalties – 14%.
Match Prediction for Palmeiras vs. Porto
The Brazilians have been performing confidently this season, although they showed some negative results just before the start of the Club World Cup, losing twice in the championship. However, on the international stage, Palmeiras has been flawless, achieving a 100% win rate in the group stage of the current Copa Libertadores. Moreover, they have not lost in regular time in 15 consecutive matches in this tournament.
Porto, on the other hand, has not displayed outstanding form in European competitions this season. The Portuguese side rarely won in the second-tier European club tournament, managing only three victories in ten Europa League matches last season. Furthermore, the club suffered defeats in the Europa League to teams like Olympiacos and Bodø/Glimt and drew with Anderlecht.
Taking all pre-match factors into account, I expect the Brazilians to put up a strong fight against their opponents and achieve a positive result. My prediction: "Palmeiras to win or draw"
