The Matchday 1 clash of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup between Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea) and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) will take place on June 18 at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, USA. Ulsan Hyundai vs. Mamelodi Sundowns: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Ulsan Hyundai
The team earned a spot in the Club World Cup due to their position in the AFC rankings. In the last edition of the AFC Champions League, Ulsan Hyundai reached the semi-finals, and in the 2019/20 season, the Koreans were the champions of this tournament. However, after its reform last year, Kim Pan-gon's side failed to advance to the playoffs. In the national championship, the team is in 3rd place, trailing the leader by 6 points. This upcoming Club World Cup will be Ulsan's third appearance: in the previous two, the Koreans lost in the matches for 5th place.
The most valuable player on the team is forward Eric Farias, who is among the top scorers in the current South Korean championship.
- Ulsan has lost 4 matches in the Club World Cup.
- At least three goals have been scored in 5 of Ulsan's last 6 AFC Champions League matches.
- The team has conceded in 8 consecutive AFC Champions League games.
Predicted lineup for Ulsan Hyundai (4-4-2)
Cho Hyun-woo – Kim Young-gwon, Gustav Ludwigson, Park Min-seo, Kang Sang-woo – Darijan Bojanic, Jun Woo-young, Ko Seung-beom, Lee Cheong-yong – Eric Farias, Um Won-sang.
Mamelodi Sundowns
The South Africans also received an invitation to the Club World Cup based on the local football association's rankings. After two consecutive CAF Champions League semi-finals, the team reached the final in the last edition of the tournament but failed to claim the title. However, Mamelodi Sundowns won their national championship for the fifth consecutive time. Their previous appearance in the Club World Cup ended with a defeat in the match for 5th place.
The top three scorers of the last South African championship were all Mamelodi Sundowns players: Lucas Ribeiro, Iqraam Rayners, and Arthur Sales.
- No more than two goals have been scored in 6 of the club's last 7 CAF Champions League matches.
- Mamelodi has not won in their last 5 CAF Champions League matches (4 draws, 1 loss).
- The team has not scored more than once in 7 previous CAF Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Mamelodi Sundowns (4-5-1)
Ronwen Williams – Mosa Lebusa, Grant Kekana, Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba – Lucas Ribeiro, Marcelo Allende, Teboho Mokoena, Arthur Sales, Tashreeq Matthews – Iqraam Rayners.
Referee
Clement Turpin (France)
Matches – 16 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 47;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.9;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 50%.
Match Prediction: Ulsan Hyundai vs. Mamelodi Sundowns
The Koreans have struggled in the current AFC Champions League campaign. Ulsan lost 6 of 7 matches and even in the one victory, they conceded a goal. Moreover, the team has allowed goals in eight previous games in this tournament, conceding at least twice in six of those. In the national championship, Kim Pan-gon's team also lacks defensive reliability, having failed to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive matches.
Mamelodi, on the other hand, was the most prolific team in the last South African championship, outscoring their closest rival by 22 goals. The club boasts two of the tournament's top scorers, as well as 3 of the top 4 assist providers. In the CAF Champions League, Miguel Cardoso's side has been less prolific, but they have scored in 6 of their last 8 matches in this tournament. I believe a team with such attacking prowess can score against an opponent struggling defensively.
My prediction: Mamelodi Sundowns Individual Total Over 1
