2025 Club World Cup Previews

While this might be the 21^st edition of the Club World Cup, a brand new super-sized format awaits fans over the next four weeks.

It is rather fitting that the expanded edition is taking place across the United States as 32 club sides vie for the title of champions of the world.

Although there is a minor concern over the level of motivation for some sides on the back of a lengthy domestic and continental season, there are still a whole lot of quality players taking to the pitch and once the whistle goes the competitive instincts will likely take over.

As we move deeper into the knockout stages, the clubs will know they are inching closer and closer to a title and we have some blockbuster clashes to close out the tournament.

We’ve got our match previews and best bets for every fixture below so read on and see who we are backing.

QUARTER FINALS

On the back of the biggest surprise win of the tournament, how much does Al-Hilal have left in the tank after going hammer and tongs for 120 minutes against Manchester City in Orlando.

At least they won’t have to travel for this game but an afternoon kickoff against Fluminense isn’t going to be a big help for their chances of coming into this game fresh.

Fluminense will be more than happy to take on a fatigued opponent given the way they have approached this tournament.

They ground out Inter Milan in the Round of 16 and should have the wherewithal to stifle out Al-Hilal.

However their attack has not been that consistent and they might not be able to completely blow this game wide open.

They should get the job done but it might not be the most enthralling of contests.

SGM: Fluminense to Qualify and Under 2.5 Goals @ $3.49

Chelsea left it late in the Round of 16, needing extra time to eventually see off a stubborn Benfica opponent.

Working in favour of the Premier League side is the fact Palmeiras needed 120 minutes in their Round of 16 win over Botafogo as well.

However unlike the first Quarter Final, they will have had an extra 48 hours recovery ahead of this game in Philadelphia.

When these sides met in the 2022 Club World Cup Final they needed extra time to be separated, but it was a very different looking Chelsea side, their goals were scored by Romelu Lukaku and Kai Havertz that night.

What does hold over from that game is Chelsea’s ability to score plenty of goals, having scored 12 across their last five fixtures.

Palmeiras might have kept three clean sheets from four matches in this tournament but it’s tough to see them keeping Chelsea at bay.

Chelsea to Win and Over 2.5 Goals @ $3.40

This game could well have been the Club World Cup Final with the European heavyweights meeting in Atlanta.

Both cruised through the Round of 16 relatively comfortably scoring four goals apiece.

Bayern won back in November when they faced off in the league phase of the Champions League and look like a proper value play to knock out the reigning European champions.

PSG has improved a lot since November and look like a side that can come out and defeat anyone on their day.

But I cannot back against Bayern as underdogs in this market.

Bayern Munich to Qualify @ $2.20

After knocking out Juventus in the Round of 16, Real Madrid will move on to another heavyweight European opponent in Borussia Dortmund.

Although Dortmund are more of a heavyweight in name at the moment after an underwhelming domestic campaign was followed up with some wins over opponents that they should have comfortably defeated.

Real won the last meeting between these sides back in November by a convincing 5-2 margin and at some point, Kylian Mbappe is going to make his presence felt in this tournament.

Real Madrid to Win and Both Teams to Score @ $2.88

ROUND OF 16

While certain parts of the first stage in this tournament fell a bit flat, the knockout stages are kicking off with an absolutely brilliant matchup between these Brazilian heavyweights.

Recent history certainly favours Botafogo when looking at the form lines, Botafogo won three of the five meetings this season and took a draw from the other two.

When examining the group stage performances as well, Botafogo have come into this tournament with a clear plan and have been executing it with excellence thus far.

Hard fought wins over Seattle in Seattle and against PSG were enough to get them through and it’s a surprise to see them as clear outsiders in this market.

It might go to extra time and or penalties but Botafogo are a much better chance than their price would suggest.

Botafogo to Qualify @ $2.15

What better way to play yourself into form than a tune up win over Auckland City before pipping Bayern Munich.

It was a result the Portuguese side needed to ensure progression out of their group and it has earned them a date with a Chelsea side who remain horrifically inconsistent.

If the Blues have their scoring boots on they could easily cruise home, but they could also produce a couple of defensive calamities that wind up costing them.

There should be plenty of chances going both ways in this game and the value in this market looks to be on backing the over to hit.

Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.95

It’s not quite the “Messi faces former club” storyline football fans around the globe would be hoping for, but there is still plenty to like about this game.

Even if it is for no other reason than Inter Miami’s combination of unknowns and aging superstars taking on the reigning European champions who have a taste for international silverware and want more.

Miami found its scoring touch in its last two games, defeating Porto and drawing with Palmeiras to get out of a tough Group A.

But they might not have the firepower to get by PSG unless the French side produce another uncharacteristically flat performance like they did against Botafogo.

However Miami doesn’t appear to be able to defend to that level and they might see their best chance as outscoring PSG in the unfamiliar setting of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

I’m expecting goals to be scored, even if the majority of them are by PSG, both teams should be able to get at least one.

Both Teams to Score @ $1.83

Flamengo will look to continue the South American charge at the tournament, but they could not have been handed a rougher draw.

Bayern came to America to win everything and this side will no doubt be irritated at their last up defeat at the hands of Benfica.

The Germans have not lost consecutive games all season and have won five and drawn two on the back of a defeat.

Flamengo will push them and win plenty of fans with a strong showing here, but it won’t be enough on the day.

Bayern to Win and Over 2.5 Goals (90 Mins) @ $2.40

Neither side tasted defeat in the group stage of the Club World Cup, but one will head home at the end of this game.

Inter’s matches all followed a similar pattern with low scoring, hard fought affairs as the Italians rebounded from a first up draw to defeat Urawa and River Plate to win their group.

Fluminense had their one win on Matchday 2, a wild 4-2 victory over Ulsan sandwiched between scoreless draws against Dortmund and Mamelodi.

All signs are pointing towards this being a tight tussle with both sides more than capable of keeping a clean sheet and the market is certainly favouring the under.

With not a lot of head to head experience to go on, this game could be off to a cagey start and a scoreless first half offers up plenty of value.

Under 0.5 Goals @ $2.60

Will Manchester City’s star power win out over the resolute defending of Al Hilal when they meet down in Orlando, Florida?

In what is sure to be energy sapping conditions, City’s rampant attack will find a way to break through their normally stubborn opponents.

It just depends on how long Al Hilal’s clean sheet streak of almost four hours continues, but once City get the break through, there will be no stopping them.

Manchester City to Win Both Halves @ $2.50

There really was no good outcome for Real Madrid in the Round of 16, it was either going to be a clash with Manchester City or Juventus.

However there is a case to be made for them getting the slightly more favourable draw, with these sides not having played in a competitive fixture since 2018.

With the way both teams approached the group stage, they seem to believe that their best way to victory is by outscoring their opponents.

Juve found the back of the next 11 times during their first three matches and Real scored seven goals.

This could be the highest scoring game at this stadium since the Miami Dolphins scored ten touchdowns on the Denver Broncos.

Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.80

On paper, this game probably shouldn’t be all that close, but I’m willing to give Monterrey a chance to be a pain here.

They come into the clash on the back of a 4-0 thumping of Urawa, their best performance to date and they also drew with Inter in their first match of the tournament.

They may eventually get overrun, but I love the value that they offer to at least get the game to extra time.

Monterrey Win/Draw Double Chance (90 Minutes) @ $2.10

GROUP STAGE

Egyptian giants Al Ahly will take on Inter Miami in the opening match of the 2025 tournament with the organisers banking on Lionel Messi and friends to kick off the tournament in scintillating fashion.

However their domestic form in the MLS has been rather poor over the last two months, with five wins from 15 games since the start of April.

On the plus side though, they have won their last two MLS matches belting Montreal 4-2 and Columbus Crew 5-1 and that is the sort of form Javier Mascherano will be hoping carries over onto this stage.

By comparison, Al Ahly stormed home in their domestic competition, winning their last six games to take out the title.

What cannot be discounted though is the home ground advantage Miami will have not only playing in their home country, but kicking off the tournament in their home city.

Not to mention the star power at their disposal with Messi, Suarez, Busquests and more should help them get over the line here.

Inter Miami to Win @ $2.15

There may be no bigger mismatch at this tournament than German giants Bayern Munich taking on 13- time OFC Champions League winner and amateur side Auckland City.

They are no strangers to the Club World Cup but expecting them to match up with this side is a step too far, and the market seems to agree with the Kiwi team at $41 to win.

It’s just a case of Bayern by how much and given the relative disparity between the two, it could be very ugly by the time the full time whistle goes.

Bayern Munich to Win -5 Goals @ $2.70

The iconic Rose Bowl, potentially the most picturesque venue being used in this competition is the site of the first blockbuster clash.

Current European champions PSG, still basking in their remarkable UCL triumph, will face Atletico Madrid in the Ground B opener.

While the La Liga outfit won the match when they met in the Champions League in November 2024, a lot has changed for the Parisians since then.

With the confidence of finally breaking their European hoodoo, they will no doubt be looking for further success and with the way they demolished Inter a few weeks ago, who would back against them?

PSG to Win @ $1.90

Despite the market leaning towards the under in this fixture, we could be in for a fair few goals as these two sides face off in New Jersey.

Brazilian side Palmeiras have seen the over his in four of their last five games which included a 6-0 win in the Copa Libertadores that could have been by more.

It’s a similar story for Porto whose league campaign ended with three or more goals being scored in six of their last eight fixtures.

Add in the unpredictability of two sides facing off in a competitive fixture for the first time and we could have a setup for an end to end, entertaining contest.

Over 2.5 Goals @ $2.15

The NFL team that calls Lumen Field home has enjoyed a significant advantage playing in front of a raucous home crowd but that may not translate for the Sounders here.

Brazilian side Botafogo will start as clear favourites and deservedly so on the back of their 2024 Seria A and Copa Libertadores double.

Seattle’s domestic season is not exactly off to a flying start, with just seven wins from 18 games and goalscoring is a real issue for the Sounders.

Once Botafogo gets out to a lead they are going to be hard to pg back with three clean sheets from their last five matches.

Botafogo to Win @ $1.83

The 32^nd and final team to qualify for the Club World Cup, LA FC takes on the English powerhouse and current Conference League title holders Chelsea as they get their respective campaigns underway.

LA made it into the tournament after winning the one-off playoff against Mexican side Club America, and their domestic form suggests they will be heading into this game full of confidence.

They are riding a ten-game unbeaten streak, scoring twice in every fixture and Chelsea’s defence this season has not been perfect.

LA FC has the attacking power to break down Chelsea at least once but the Blues’ quality should see them able to start the tournament on a winning note.

Chelsea to Win Both Teams to Score @ $2.80

There will be some upsets in this competition and there is a good chance we could see one here.

Benfica are receiving the European boost in this market because there is not that big of a disparity between them.

Boca has some familiar names in their squad with Sergio Romero, Edinson Cavani, Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo all named for the tournament.

While those guys might be past their prime they are capable of producing a couple of moments here and there, which makes them a far better chance than their current price.

Boca Juniors Win/Draw Double Chance @ $2.00

While Boca has a chance at an upset in the prior match, Esperance could be in for a tough night in Philadelphia.

The Tunisian side are massive outsiders against Brazilian giants Flamengo who are currently leading their domestic competition.

They can score for fun, as Fortaleza found out in their last outing with Flamengo cruising to a 5-0 victory.

It could be out of hand early and once the Brazilian side gets going they should be able to win this one comfortably.

Flamengo to Win -1 Goal @ $1.85

It’s fair to say that season 2024/2025 did not go the way Borussia Dortmund would have hoped for with a miserable domestic campaign only somewhat salvaged by a strong finish to the season.

They took 22 of a possible 24 points to grab a Champions League berth and the hope will be that they can go on a deep run in this tournament.

Fluminense find themselves in a less than ideal position part of the way through the Brazilian Serie A season, currently occupying sixth place but they have won their last four games when factoring in cup and continental contests as well.

There is no shortage of scoring potential on both sides with Fluminense recording 10 goals during their winning streak, while Dortmund have scored multiple goals in their last seven matches.

That suggests the over is a relatively straightforward bet and I’m also willing to back the quality of the German side to see them home as well.

Borussia Dortmund to Win and Over 2.5 Goals @ $2.20

While River Plate might have been scoring for fun in some recent matches, they could be in for a tough test against a disciplined Urawa side.

The 2022 Asian Champions League winners might look a little bit different three years later but this is a team that still functions in a similar way.

I’m expecting them to sit deep and try to absorb pressure from River Plate and turn this game into a grind.

While the Brazilian team may eventually find a way to break down their opponents, it won’t be done in the most straightforward fashion and the under looks like the way to go here.

Under 2.5 Goals @ $1.80

South African side Mamelodi Sundowns are one of the bigger enigmas at this tournament as the dominant club in their local competition.

However that success has not been entirely reflected on the continental stage with just one CAF Champions League win back in 2016 and a pair of runners up efforts in 2001 and 2025.

Which does beg the question, how will they go taking on sides that may not be overly familiar with them?

Their reputation as a tiki-taka style side might actually come back to hurt them if they insist on playing that way against more fancied clubs who might be able to find a way through.

Ulsan’s lead in form is not exactly encouraging with just one win from their last four, but on this stage the South Korean side should have the quality to control this match.

It is a bit of a surprise to see the market this way around and the value on Ulsan is too good to pass up.

Ulsan to Win @ $3.00

We all saw Inter’s last competitive outing against PSG and it was pretty much the worst case scenario unfolding for the Italian club.

The question here is whether or not that 5-0 belting from PSG will have any sort of lingering impact on the side as they prepare to open this competition against Mexican side Monterrey who will have plenty of support in the Rose Bowl.

However that support will be silenced pretty quickly if Inter can find an early goal and that is one thing they did well in their run to the Champions League Final.

While they do play into the stereotype of a slow and deliberate Serie A side in some ways, they do have the gamebreakers at their disposal to produce moments of individual brilliance.

Once Inter gets going it is tough to see Monterrey finding a way back into the clash.

Inter Milan HT/FT Double @ $2.30

Calling this one a mismatch is kind of underselling the gulf in class between the two sides.

Moroccan side Wydad will be dreaming of an upset but hopeful they just avoid the same fate as Auckland City.

Considering Manchester City will be desperate for some silverware from this season, chances are they won’t be taking this contest lightly as they try to start their campaign on a winning note.

Not to mention justifying the large and frantic financial investment they have made in their squad since the Premier League season ended, this should be an easy win.

Manchester City to Win -3 Goals @ $2.25

A new era kicks off at Real Madrid as Xabi Alonso begins his tenure in charge of the club he spent five season with as a player.

The Spaniard looks set to unveil his marquee signing Trent Alexander-Arnold who will provide another attacking threat on the right flank.

With Al-Hilal likely setting up very defensively, Real Madrid are going to enjoy a lot of the ball and spent most of the game peppering their opponent’s box.

And when you have the quality that Real has at their disposal, they will find a way through, likely several times over the 90 minutes.

Real Madrid to Win Both Halves @ $2.60

While nobody will mistake RB Salzburg as a powerhouse European club, they are still a very strong team and should take care of business against a Pachuca side that is coming into the tournament in disarray.

Pachuca have been on a rough run of results which saw the departure of coach Guillermo Almada who won the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup for the side.

New manager Jaime Lozano has had one friendly with the squad and this will be his first competitive match in charge.

Perhaps there will be a new manager bounce, but I’ll have to see it before I believe it.

RB Salzburg to Win @ $2.45

One of the major beneficiaries of the expanded Club World Cup format is Juventus, who have been invited due to their UEFA ranking.

Their first clash will be against Al-Ain out of the UAE who will understandably start as heavy outsiders in this market.

While Juve’s domestic season saw their stumble to a fourth place finish with seven wins from their last 14 games, this side has the quality to handle their opponents.

However it might not be the demolition that some of the other fixtures have become and Juve do look like a side that might be a bit slow out of the blocks.

The Italian side should win, but it might be one of those games that leaves you thinking it should have been by a lot more.

Juventus to Win and Under 3.5 Goals @ $2.10

Group A remains exactly as it started after the first round of matchdays after a pair of scoreless draws.

Palmeiras and Al Ahly will kick of Matchday 2 with both sides well aware of how valuable all three points from this fixture will be.

The Egyptian side were kept at bay not through a lack of trying, even earning a spot kick in the first half of their draw with Inter Miami that they failed to convert.

As for the Brazilians, they created plenty of chances themselves but could not find a way through a stubborn Porto team.

This game could be a different story though with a pretty clear disparity between the two, however the turf at MetLife Stadium might keep this game slightly lower scoring than it otherwise would be.

Palmeiras to Win and Under 3.5 Goals @ $2.20

One goal may well be enough to decide the other Group A match of the day as well with Porto starting clear favourites over Inter Miami.

However even if the Portuguese side do find themselves dominating this match, it may not result in a one-sided scoreline with a hot and cold attack that was frozen out first up.

A couple of Miami’s superstar players not named Messi looked every bit of their age in the first game, but they may be better suited to the pace of this contest allowing them to perhaps stifle Porto’s creative players a bit more effectively.

The under looks like the best bet in this market and it’s an easy one to take here.

Under 2.5 Goals @ $2.15

At least one of these sides will get to open their Club World Cup accounts in Seattle on Friday morning and you’ll have to spare a thought for the Sounders.

After getting outclassed by Botafogo first up, they now have to take on a fuming Atletico Madrid side that were humbled by PSG at the Rose Bowl a few days ago.

Diego Simeone will no doubt be rallying the troops for a rebound performance and they have the perfect opportunity to not only pick up a win, but fix up their goal difference.

Take Atletico to win by a lot.

Atletico Madrid to Win -2 Goals @ $2.88

The reigning European champions have headed stateside to show they mean business with a  ruthless demolition of Atletico Madrid first up.

There is no reason to expect them to slow down for this clash against the Brazilian side that won their first match of the competition over Seattle.

One area they may have slightly more success in compared to Atletico is scoring a goal, but even if they can’t, PSG’s front line is humming and should help this game go over on their own.

PSG to Win and Over 3.5 Goals @ $2.30

First up, things could not have gone worse for the part timers of Auckland City, facing a ruthless Bayern Munich who opted to show no mercy.

It might only get marginally better in this game as they take a Benfica side that came from 2-0 down to win a fiery clash with Boca Juniors in their first game.

They will be without Andrea Belotti who was sent off in that contest but will still have some heavy hitters to call upon.

Even if Bruno Lage does opt to rotate his squad a little bit, this should still be a comfortable win for Benfica, but expecting a ten goal margin again might be a bit optimistic.

Benfica Win and Under 6.5 Goals @ $2.00

Chelsea had no problems dominating LA FC first up and a win here would all but secure their spot in the knockout stage of the tournament.

However the same can be said for Flamengo who also won their first fixture by a similar 2-0 scoreline and will be eyeing an upset against a side that is more than capable of a letdown.

The Brazilians have gone nine games unbeaten, winning their last five and keeping clean sheets in their last four fixtures as well.

However Chelsea do look like a side that is here on a mission and with a couple of players keen to make an impact, they should be able to see their way through this match.

Chelsea to Win @ $1.75

It’s a chance at redemption for both LA FC and Esperance de Tunis after first up defeats and this is a game that really could go either way.

Both were outclassed by more fancied opponents in their first match however they will each see this as their best chance of securing a win in this group.

Not to mention a defeat would almost certainly end their campaign, especially if the earlier match finishes in a draw.

LA FC probably should be starting as favourites but there is still a little something that does make me hesitant to back them here.

Instead I’m going to look at the both teams to score market with neither side looking completely secure defensively.

Both Teams to Score @ $2.00

Some may want to dismiss Bayern’s big win over Auckland City as a case of professional players beating up on a bunch of amateurs.

Or you could look at it as a statement of intent from a side that has clearly come to this tournament with a purpose.

Aside from a few muted celebrations, Bayern were ruthless first up and will be looking to back that up with another big win over Boca Juniors here.

The Argentine side threw away a lead first up, continuing their poor run of form and this is not the team you want to face when you are down on confidence.

It’s just a case of how many Bayern are able to win by.

Bayern to Win -2 Goals @ $2.38

No side would have been happier with their opening game result than South African team Mamelodi Sundowns, defeating Ulsan 1-0.

Conversely, Dortmund would have been more than a bit unhappy with how their opening game played out, being forced to settle for a 0-0 draw with Fluminense.

However we should see a much better effort from the Germans here, with a win almost compulsory if they want to progress to the knockout phase.

Goals will likely be hard to come by with a lunchtime kickoff in Cincinnati slowing the pace of the game down significantly.

Dortmund should win but it might not be by a huge margin as the conditions play a big factor in how it unfolds.

Borussia Dortmund to Win and Under 4.5 Goals @ $1.70

Another lunchtime kickoff, this time in Seattle, brings us a clash between the Champions League runners up and a Japanese powerhouse.

Urawa lost their first game against River Plate and now have to get something from this match to avoid a very early elimination from the Club World Cup.

On paper they have next to no chance against Inter Milan but the Serie A side were well below par against Monterrey first up.

While Urawa’s defensive effort against River Plate left a lot to be desired, the combination of the likely stifling weather and Inter’s wastefulness suggests this might be a bit closer than expected.

Inter Milan to Win and Under 4.5 Goals @ $1.62

If Inter wins in the earlier match, Fluminense could secure the second automatic progression spot in the group with a win over Ulsan here.

Based on the respective performances first up, a win for the Brazilian side seems like a fairly straightforward play.

Ulsan spent most of their game against Mamelodi on the back foot and have VAR to thank for not losing by a lot more than they did.

Fluminense won’t be as wasteful in front of goal and the over is a better bet in this instance.

Fluminense to Win and Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.95

In a clash that could decide one of the automatic qualification spots in Group E, there really is not a lot between River Plate and Monterrey.

Both had impressive first up showing and will bring plenty of confidence into the Rose Bowl on Sunday morning.

While River Plate are starting as deserved favourites, the draw looks like the best option in this market.

Draw @ $3.30

Let’s keep this one nice and simple, Juventus will likely demolish Wydad the same way they did Al-Ain first up.

It was a ruthless 5-0 performance and they should have no problems doing something similar here.

Wydad held out much longer than expected against Manchester City, only conceding twice but both came in the first half.

Once Juve gets out to a lead I’m expecting them to go on with it.

Juventus HT/FT Double @ $1.73

One of the few upsets in the opening round of matches came when Real Madrid were forced to settle for a draw with Al-Hilal.

However a bounce back is something we should be looking at backing with some strong confidence in this fixture, as they take on a Pachuca side that could not overturn RB Salzburg.

We know how good Real can be when they get going and this looks like a perfect spot for them to showcase their true potential ahead of the knockout phase.

Real Madrid HT/FT Double @ $1.80

It sure looks like the prices in this market have been overcorrected after Matchday 1.

Al-Hilal performed admirably as they held Real Madrid to a draw, but seeing them start as $1.82 favourites seems like a bit of an overreaction.

Salzburg are not exactly world beaters but it’s tough to expect Al-Hilal to be able to back that performance up.

I’m happy to take the Austrian side in an upset.

RB Salzburg to Win @ $3.80

It’s fair to say that despite winning their first match of the Club World Cup, Manchester City have a lot to improve on.

They had their moments against Wydad and should be able to comfortably account for Al-Ain here.

Especially when you remember just how badly they were demolished by Juventus in their first match.

A win for City will get them into the knockout phase of this tournament and they might even get out of second gear here.

Manchester City to Win and Over 3.5 Goals @ $1.95

It’s a simple equation for Atletico Madrid heading into Matchday 3, they need to beat Botafogo, by two or more goals to have any hope of advancing out of Group B.

The Brazilian side will be flying high after their shock win over European champions PSG in their last match and a draw will be enough for them to win the group.

On paper this should be a win for the Spanish side but they have shown moments of vulnerability and Botafogo are clearly not here to make up the numbers.

However this is one of those spots where you can put your faith in a coach like Diego Simeone and back his club to get the job done.

Botafogo has offered up chances to its opponents, and Atletico will be in a position to capitalise on them here.

Atletico Madrid to Win @ $1.75

At the same time as Atletico-Botafogo, we have the other game from Group B and there is still a scenario where Seattle can sneak into the knockout phase.

It is an unlikely one though, as it relies on a Botafogo win over Atletico Madrid and PSG suffering another shock upset in the Pacific Northwest.

What seems like a far more plausible scenario is that PSG bounces back from their defeat at the hands of Botafogo in their last outing and flexes their muscles here.

It was only a week ago they belted Atletico Madrid 4-0 and while Seattle has scored in both of their games, it is likely to only boost the goals tally towards the over.

Especially if they know top spot in the group is going to be up for grabs.

PSG to Win and Over 3.5 Goals @ $2.20

When Porto and Al Ahly take to the pitch at MetLife Stadium there will be a little bit of hope and a whole lot of desperation in the air as they try to keep their tournaments alive.

Porto is coming off a shock loss to Inter Miami in their second fixture while Al Ahly went down to Palmeiras.

For either of these sides to qualify out of Group A they need a win and hope that the side who defeated them on Matchday 2 wins the other game down in Miami.

Scoring has been a real issue for both of these clubs and it could be a case of first team to score wins.

Especially if that first team to score is Porto given Al Ahly has been kept at bay for over 180 minutes in this tournament.

Porto to Win and Under 3.5 Goals @ $2.70

While both clubs up in New Jersey are hoping for a certain outcome to play out in Miami, a mutually beneficial scenario is possible in this fixture.

A draw would send both through to the Round of 16 with Palmeiras winning the group and Inter Miami in second spot.

It seems unlikely that either club will opt to take too many risks and potentially jeopardise their advantageous position.

Draw @ $2.35

The good news out of this game is that when the full time whistle blows, Auckland City will be put out of their misery and able to go home.

Unfortunately for them, Boca Juniors needs to win this game and win it by a lot to have a chance of making it to the knockout stage.

The scenario for the South American giants is to win the match and have Bayern Munich beat Benfica, while overturning a margin of seven in the goal differential.

Chances are most of that turnaround will come in this fixture and Boca should at least do their part by winning this game comfortably.

Boca Juniors to Win -5 Goals @ $2.00

Bayern is through to the Round of 16 at the Club World Cup, but they need to avoid a slip up against Benfica to retain top spot in the group.

A draw is enough for both sides to advance, but with top spot on the line it seems more likely both will go for all three points on offer.

Which then leans into this being a high scoring, back and forth game.

Both teams managed to score twice against Boca (we’ll discount the games against Auckland City) and it makes the over the best play for this contest.

Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.73

The billing for this game will suggest that second spot in Group D is up for grabs as Esperance de Tunis takes on Chelsea, but the reality suggests otherwise.

Both of these sides have defeated LA FC and lost to Flamengo in their group, but if Chelsea is on their game, they should handle this game easily.

However they have not been on their game this tournament, being pushed by LA FC before blowing a lead against Flamengo.

The Premier League side should win this but they haven’t played well enough to take a high scoring victory.

Chelsea Win and Under 3.5 Goals @ $1.95

Thanks to the head to head tiebreakers going their way, Flamengo will finish on top of the group regardless of how this game goes.

Conversely, LA FC is assured of a fourth place finish even if they can spring an upset.

However that upset is not worth backing given LA FC will be returning to MLS duty soon and will probably be wanting to get that campaign on track as they reach the second half of the season.

So let’s keep it simple and back the Brazilians to win.

Flamengo to Win @ $1.73

Top spot in Group F will likely come down to goal difference with Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense battling it out in Thursday morning’s early games.

The Germans only defeated Mamelodi by the one goal which means they have to win by a bigger margin than Fluminense do (or better their result) to pip them for the group lead.

Which means they are going to have to get on the front foot against an Ulsan side that conceded four in their first match and allowed Mamelodi to have the weight of possession and chances in their second fixture.

Dortmund are going to have plenty of the ball and fashion plenty of chances, it just depends on how many they are able to finish.

Borussia Dortmund to Win and Over 3.5 Goals @ $2.38

The winner will take it all in the other Group F match with Mamelodi and Fluminense both able to progress with a win in this game.

A draw will not be enough for the South African side and they have proven themselves to be incredibly competitive in their two outings so far.

They pushed Dortmund all the way on Matchday 2 and almost did enough to earn a draw, so they will not be an easy out for the Brazilian club.

But this has been a great tournament for South American sides and even if it goes down to the wire, Fluminense should be good enough to see off this challenge.

Fluminense to Win @ $1.90

When all is said and done in Group E, only one of these teams will be heading through to the Round of 16.

They are currently in first and second on four points each, but an expected win for Monterrey in the other game would drop at the losing team into the elimination zone.

Knowing a draw won’t necessarily be enough for these teams, it does point towards this being a game where the two sides have to push for a result and really go for it rather than sitting back and playing conservatively.

Which makes the price on the over a little bit surprising, but also a decent value play.

Over 2.5 Goals @ $2.00

Urawa will be heading home after this clash with Monterrey, but they can play spoiler for the Mexican side by stealing a point to send them home, winning outright and moving up to third place in the group.

However based on what we have seen in the Red Diamonds two outings so far, there is not a lot of cause for optimism that they can pull off the upset.

There has on the other hand been a lot to like from the two Monterrey games where they held on for draws against Inter and River Plate.

Knowing there is a very realistic scenario where they not only win this game but jump up to the top of the group, it is tough to see Monterrey faltering against a side that might already be preparing to head to the airport.

Monterrey to Win @ $1.78

We know these sides will be going through to the Round of 16, but there is a tangible prize on offer for whichever team finishes on top of Group G.

The runner up will almost certainly have to face Real Madrid in their next match while the other opponent is set to be RB Salzburg or Al-Hilal, both far more appealing options than the Spanish juggernauts.

Juve is in the box seat courtesy of scoring nine goals to City’s eight in this tournament, so a draw would be enough for the Italians.

City is starting as favourites in large part because of the Premier League premium and the price disparity between the two clubs is way out of order.

Juve are a much better chance than their price would suggest and the value is on the Serie A side getting at least a point.

Juventus Win/Draw Double Chance @ $2.00

Little more than pride is on the line in the other Group G match with Wydad and Al-Ain both hoping to leave the USA with at least a point from this tournament.

Al-Ain have been ripped apart defensively by Juve and Man City, conceding 11 goals through 180 minutes.

While Wydad are not exactly an attacking powerhouse, they will fancy their chances of putting a few past their opponents.

It makes the over far and away the best play in this market.

Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.73

Knowing a win will be the bare minimum requirement to advance to the Round of 16, Al-Hilal will be facing plenty of pressure ahead of this clash with a pesky Pachuca side.

While the Mexican club are yet to tally a point, they gave RB Salzburg a good test in their first outing and would love to end this tournament on a high note.

They should fancy their chances against a side that has struggled to get going in attack with just one goal so far.

Given the stakes and the contrasting motivations, I’m expecting this one to be cagey and one goal might be all that decides it.

Under 2.5 Goals @ $2.38

Salzburg would have been hoping to have progression secured ahead of this Matchday 3 clash with Real Madrid, especially with the La Liga giants needing something from this game as well.

A draw will be enough for both clubs if Al-Hilal cannot win their match but it is not something they should be counting on.

This is also one of the few group stage matchups where there is a recent matchup to go off and it is not good reading for Salzburg.

Real belted them 5-1 in the Champions League Group Stage and another big win for them looks like the most plausible scenario for this match.

Real Madrid to Win and Over 3.5 Goals @ $2.20