The Matchday 1 clash of the Club World Cup 2025 between Real Madrid (Spain) and Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) will be held on June 18 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (USA). Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Real Madrid
The Spaniards are participating in this Club World Cup as winners of the UEFA Champions League in the 2021/22 and 2023/24 seasons. This will be the seventh appearance for Madrid in this tournament. The team holds the record for the most Club World Cup titles, having won five. Real last played in this tournament in 2022, when they defeated Al-Hilal 5-3 in the final. The club enters this match with a strong record at the official level, having avoided defeat in 7 of their last 8 matches (6 wins and 1 draw).
After last season, Xabi Alonso took over as head coach, previously working at Bayer Leverkusen. The club has also strengthened its defense with the additions of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Note that after the tournament, midfielder Luka Modric and defender Lucas Vazquez will leave the team.
- At least three goals have been scored in regular time in 8 of Real Madrid's last 9 UEFA Champions League games.
- Real conceded in 90 minutes in their last six matches in the European Champions League.
- Two or more goals were scored in the second half in 8 of the last 10 UEFA Champions League matches for the Spaniards.
Predicted 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 – Arda Guler, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes.
Due to injuries, forward Endrick Felipe and defender Ferland Mendy are not ready to play. Forward Kylian Mbappe caught a virus a day before the match and did not train with the team due to fever.
Al-Hilal
The Saudis qualified for the tournament as winners of the AFC Champions League in 2021. The team will participate in the Club World Cup for the fourth time. Previously, Al-Hilal took part in this tournament in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Notably, the Arab team reached the final once and finished third on another occasion. Their season ended with a five-match unbeaten streak at the official level (4 wins and 1 draw). The team also reached the semifinals of the AFC Champions League, where they lost to the eventual winners, Al-Ahli (1-3).
In early June, the club made a surprising move by appointing Simone Inzaghi as the new head coach, who previously managed Italian side Inter. In the squad, forward Aleksandar Mitrovic stands out, having scored 47 goals in the Saudi Arabian league over the last two seasons and netting 14 times 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 have been 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 encounters.
Predicted 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 – Marcos Leonardo.
On the day of the match, it was announced that forward Aleksandar Mitrovic would miss the game due to injury.
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, these opponents, who previously met in the Club World Cup final, will face off once again. In 2022, the teams played an exciting 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 there are now 32 participants instead of 7.
I expect this encounter to be high-scoring once again. Al-Hilal has played nine matches in this tournament, with at least three goals scored in regular time in six of them. Similarly, 5 of Real Madrid's last 6 Club World Cup games have been high-scoring. Even without their top scorers, both teams can realize their attacking potential. I particularly expect impactful performances from Vinicius Junior, who recorded 11 goals and 8 assists in the recently concluded La Liga season, and for the nominal visitors, Marcos Leonardo, who achieved 17+2 in the Saudi Arabian league.
My prediction: Total over 3 goals
