Club World Cup predictions: Wednesday group-stage tips and odds
Our expert has tips for all four of Wednesday's Club World Cup matches, including Manchester City's opener in Group G against Moroccan outfit Wydad in Philadelphia (kick-off, 5pm BST).
He also looks ahead to Real Madrid's clash with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, Pachuca against Salzburg and a potential mismatch between Al Ain and Juventus.
Odds courtesy of Betano. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
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Manchester City City vs Wydad (Philadelphia, 5pm BST)
The Club World Cup offers Manchester City a shot at redemption after a challenging 2024-25 season and Pep Guardiola's side could burst out of the blocks in their opener against the Moroccan side.
City have spent £116 million on classy midfielders Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, as well as flying wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, this summer, and they can be expected to take this tournament seriously.
This is one of the bigger mismatches in the first round of group games with Wydad down in 383rd in the Opta World Power Rankings, having endured an underwhelming campaign of their own.
Rain is forecast in Philadelphia, so there is less chance of the heat stifling City, who are worth a bet to score over 1.5 goals in the first half at 21/20, having scored more first-half goals (41) than any other side in last term's Premier League.
Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal (Miami, 8pm BST)
There will be plenty of attacking quality on show in this game – from Kylian Mbappe to Aleksandar Mitrovic – but it is former Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic who is an appealing bet to have 2+ shots at 4/5.
Milinkovic-Savic could occupy a deeper role under new head coach Simone Inzaghi but he loves getting forward and having a crack at goal, having ranked 18th for shots in the Saudi Pro League last season with an average of 2.61 per game.
He also netted 12 goals and should have the chance to take aim given that Real Madrid allowed 10.7 shots per game in La Liga last season and will still be finding their feet under new boss Xabi Alonso.
Pachuca vs Salzburg (Cincinnati, 11pm BST)
Mexican side Pachuca could be up against it in Group H and they should be opposed in their opener against Red Bull Salzburg, who are 108 places above them in the Opta World Power Rankings.
Pachuca finished 16th in last season's Torneo Apertura in Liga MX, winning just three of 17 matches, before scrambling to finish eighth in the Torneo Clausura.
Head coach Jaime Lozano has been in charge for just a couple of weeks and they could be out of their depth against Salzburg, who finished the Austrian Bundesliga season with three wins in their last four games, so back them in the draw no bet market at 31/40.
Al Ain vs Juventus (Washington DC, 2am Thursday BST)
A Juventus win to nil looks a straightforward but value selection at 5/6 when the Turin giants take on Al Ain in their first match at the Club World Cup.
The fact Al Ain had three managers during the 2024-25 season, going from Hernan Crespo to Leonardo Jardim to Vladimir Ivic, tells you all you need to know about their recent struggles.
They finished a disappointing fifth in the UAE Pro League last term and it is hard to see them even laying a glove on Italian powerhouses Juventus, who placed fourth in Serie A last season, keeping 17 clean sheets in the process.
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