a day ago
FIFA Club World Cup betting: The race to turn £10 into £100 before July 13
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In theory, a Club World Cup featuring 32 teams from across the globe is great. But in practice? We're about to find out if it's as impractical and downright nasty as many have predicted.
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If it does turn into an exhausted exhibition of zombified footballers going through the motions, we at least need a contingency plan to make it fun — and that's what sports betting is for! To spice up events such as this.
Welcome to a brand-new series here on The Athletic called 'The Race to 100,' where our writers Sam Tighe and Brett Koremenos compete against each other to turn £10 into £100 as quickly as possible.
Each writer will start with a £10 kitty, with the opportunity to reload after each round of fixtures. They can bet in £2 increments (or units, in betting parlance) on Club World Cup fixtures. They're free to place it all on one outcome or spread it across multiple bets, but no accumulators are allowed. The goal? Get to £100 before your opponent — or, in the likely event both fail, come out ahead of the other to secure bragging rights.
All clear? Alright, let's get on with the picks …
Stake: Two units | Potential payout: £8.40
Even though Sam is knowledgeable about clubs like Wydad AC and the Urawa Red Diamonds, I'm sticking to betting on games that feature at least one club I'm familiar with. With PSG and Atleti, I get the bonus of wagering on two sides that played each other last season.
In that group-stage Champions League game in November, PSG secured a 2-1 victory with an expected goal (xG) total between the clubs sitting at 2.8. Despite Atleti conceding most of those chances, they were the best defensive team in Spain last year. Given PSG will likely still be recovering from their Champions League final hangover, I can't see them putting the pedal to the metal this Sunday as they did in that November showdown. So, please give me the under in what may be an uninspired affair.
Stake: Three units | Potential payout: £12.60
As I mentioned in our tournament preview, I'm bullish on Los Blancos. On the other hand, despite Al-Hilal finishing second in the Saudi Pro League, they looked defensively mediocre, conceding the seventh-most goals in the league. That seems to make sense for a side that had Aleksandar Mitrović — a striker who isn't known for his generosity — leading the line.
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Could Xabi Alonso's men live up to their moniker as the betting favourites to win the tournament? They have attempted the fifth-most shots per 90 minutes in Europe's top five leagues this past season, have added a generational passer in Trent Alexander-Arnold, and still have Kylian Mbappé.
I'll take even money that Mitrović and Co. aren't exactly going to be building a brick wall in front of Al-Hilal's goal.
Stake: Three units | Potential payout: £7.50
I don't know what Brett's talking about; I've never seen Wydad AC play. However, I suppose he's right in that I'm immediately going to dive into the weird and wonderful world of upsets.
There's going to be an upset in the first round, and I have quickly become obsessed with finding it.
Could a tired, sad and somewhat veteran Inter side fall unexpectedly? Monterrey hasn't exactly fired on all cylinders this year. Still, there's a lot of wily, seasoned talent in that squad, including Sergio Ramos, Óliver Torres and Lucas Ocampos, who know a thing or two about the big stage.
Taking Monterrey to win at 9/2 is so enticing, but I'm not that bold. Backing Monterrey to win or draw shortens the odds but is inherently safer.
Stake: Two units | Potential payout: £5.60
There are seven fresh faces in Chelsea's Club World Cup squad. It's clear they're taking it seriously but also evident that they're using the tournament to take a good look at youngsters like Dário Essugo and Andrey Santos.
Could unfamiliarity create some defensive hiccups? Enzo Maresca's playing style certainly takes some getting used to. If there are turnovers or mistakes in midfield, LAFC's rapid counter-attacking threat, led by the excellent Dénis Bouanga, could take advantage.
It makes me think the MLS team is good for a goal here, even if they do end up falling to a superior side.
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