The Matchday 1 clash of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup between Real Madrid (Spain) and Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) will take place on June 18 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (USA). Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal: prediction, betting odds, and statistics.
Real Madrid
The Spanish side will participate in the current Club World Cup as the winners of the UEFA Champions League in the 2021/22 and 2023/24 seasons. For Madrid, this will be their 7th appearance in this tournament. The team holds the record for the most Club World Cup trophies, having won five. Real last played in this tournament in 2022, where they defeated Al-Hilal in the final (5-3). The club approaches the upcoming match with solid form at the official level, having remained unbeaten in 7 of their last 8 matches (6 wins and 1 draw).
After the last season, Real Madrid appointed Xabi Alonso, previously with Bayer Leverkusen, as their head coach. The club also strengthened their squad with defenders Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Notably, midfielder Luka Modric and defender Lucas Vazquez will leave the team after the tournament.
- At least three goals were scored in regular time in 8 of Real Madrid's last 9 UEFA Champions League matches.
- Real conceded in 90 minutes in their last six European Champions League games.
- Two or more goals were scored in the second half in 8 of the last 10 matches involving the Spaniards in the UEFA Champions League.
Projected lineup for Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Andriy Lunin – Dean Donny Huijsen, Fran Garcia, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asensio – Federico Valverde, Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham – Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes.
Due to injuries, forward Endrick Felipe and defender Ferland Mendy are not currently training with the team.
Al-Hilal
The Saudis qualified for the tournament as winners of the AFC Champions League in 2021. The team will play in the Club World Cup for the fourth time, having previously participated in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Notably, the Arab team reached the final once and finished third on another occasion. The Saudis ended their season with a five-match unbeaten streak at the official level (4 wins and 1 draw). They also reached the AFC Champions League semi-finals, where they lost to the eventual winner, Al-Ahli (1-3).
In early June, the club made waves by signing new head coach Simone Inzaghi, previously with Italy's Inter Milan. The team features striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored 47 goals in the Saudi Arabian League over the last two seasons and netted 14 goals in 18 AFC Champions League matches.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 11 of their last 13 AFC Champions League matches (10 wins and 1 draw).
- At least three goals were scored in 11 of Al-Hilal's last 14 games in the Asian Champions League.
- The Saudis opened the scoring in 11 of their last 13 AFC Champions League matches.
Projected lineup for Al-Hilal (4-5-1)
Yassine Bounou – Kalidou Koulibaly, Renan Lodi, Hassan Al-Tambakti, Khalifa Al-Dawsari – Salem Al-Dawsari, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Mohammed Kanno, Ruben Neves – Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Referee
Facundo Tello (Argentina)
Matches – 15 (International matches, 2024–2025);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 75;
Average yellow cards per match – 5;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 20%.
Match Prediction: Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal
In the upcoming match, the opponents will face each other again after previously meeting in the Club World Cup final. In 2022, the teams showcased a spectacular and open game, scoring a total of 8 goals. Both clubs aim to win this tournament, but it will be more challenging than in previous years, as the Club World Cup now features 32 participants instead of 7.
I believe this encounter will be another high-scoring affair. Al-Hilal has played nine matches in this tournament, with at least three goals scored in six of them during regular time. Similarly, this level of scoring was seen in 5 of Real's last 6 Club World Cup games. I expect goals primarily from the leaders of these teams, who are in excellent form: Kylian Mbappe has scored in each of his last eight matches for club and country (totaling 12 goals), while Aleksandar Mitrovic has netted 8 goals in his last 7 league and World Cup qualifying matches.
My prediction: Total over 3 goals
