The Matchday 1 fixture 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 has qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup based on the AFC ranking. In the previous edition of the AFC Champions League, Ulsan 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 even reach the playoffs. In the national championship, the team is in 3rd place, trailing the leader by six points. The upcoming Club World Cup will be Ulsan's third appearance, with the team losing in matches for 5th place in the previous two instances.
The most valuable player on the team is forward Eric Farias, one of the top scorers in the current South Korean league season.
- Ulsan has lost four matches in the FIFA 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 goals in 8 consecutive AFC Champions League games.
Predicted lineup for Ulsan Hyundai (4-4-2)
Jo Hyeon-woo – Kim Young-gwon, Gustav Ludwigson, Park Min-seo, Kang Sang-woo – Darijan Bojanic, Jung Woo-young, Ko Seung-beom, Lee Chung-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 ranking. After two consecutive CAF Champions League semi-finals, the team reached the final in the last edition but failed to win the title. However, Mamelodi won the national championship for the fifth consecutive time. Their previous participation 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 from Mamelodi Sundowns – Lucas Ribeiro, Ikram Reyners, and Arthur Sales.
- No more than two goals have been scored in 6 of Mamelodi'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 did not score 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 – Ikram Reyners.
Referee
Clément 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
Ulsan has struggled in the current AFC Champions League edition, losing 6 out of 7 matches, even conceding in their lone win during this stretch. Moreover, the team has conceded in 8 consecutive games in this tournament, with at least two goals in 6 of those matches. In the national championship, Kim Pan-gon's side has also been unreliable defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in 6 consecutive matches.
Mamelodi, in the last South African championship, was the top-scoring team, outpacing the nearest rival by 22 goals. The club features two of the tournament's top scorers and three of the top four assisters. In the CAF Champions League, Miguel Cardoso's side has been less prolific, yet they have scored in 6 of their last 8 matches. With such attacking prowess, they have a good chance to score against an opponent struggling defensively.
My prediction: Mamelodi Sundowns individual total over 1
