The Club World Cup takes centre stage in world football this summer with no major men’s international tournament taking place.
After making a return in 2005, this tournament was previously held in December and was limited to the winners of the continental club competitions, however, this new format should generate a bit more interest.
The Club World Cup also serves as a bit of a warm-up tournament for next year’s World Cup, as the USA is hosting both competitions - although duties will be shared with Canada and Mexico for the 2026 showpiece.
Club World Cup Tips and Predictions
Outright Prediction: Real Madrid to win the Club World Cup (4/1)
Dark Horse Tip: Flamengo to reach the semi-finals (11/2)
Expert Pick: Julian Alvarez Top Team Scorer (15/8)
New Club World Cup Format
Seven teams from six confederations competed in the 2023 edition of the Club World Cup but the competition has been overhauled for 2025 and beyond.
There will be 32 teams competing for the title and the new format is similar to a major international cup competition. There are eight groups of four and each team will play each other once, with the top two qualifying for the last 16 and the bottom two being eliminated after the group-stage games have been completed.
The round of 16 and quarter-finals take place at various venues, while both semi-finals and the final will be played at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
For a deep dive into the Club World Cup new rules and format, including insights on how it could impact results, be sure to check out our Club World Cup Format article.
Groups to Watch
Here’s three of the most eye-catching groups:
Group A
Al Ahly
Inter Miami
Palmeiras
Porto
Group B
Atletico Madrid
Botafogo
Paris Saint-Germain
Seattle Sounders
Group C
Bayern Munich
Benfica
Boca Juniors
Auckland City
The first three groups look to be the most intriguing/competitive and Group B in particular stands out, as UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain have been drawn alongside Copa Libertadores holders Botafogo and the ever-dangerous Atletico Madrid.
You have to feel for New Zealand’s Auckland City in what looks to be the real ‘Group Of Death’, alongside Bayern Munich, Benfica and Boca Juniors.
Palmeiras and Porto will be fancied to get out of Group A, but MLS outfit Inter Miami could be a wildcard. Inter Miami aren’t enjoying the best of seasons domestically right now but with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets in their squad they can’t be discounted.
Club World Cup Favourites
(Odds will display when the market is available)
Record winners Real Madrid are the 4/1 favourites, with UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain next in the betting at 9/2 and defending Club World Cup champions Manchester City 5/1.
UEFA was the federation awarded the most slots for the competition with 12 and the top nine favourites all come from Europe - with Bayern Munich (7/1), Chelsea (10/1), Inter Milan (14/1), Atletico Madrid (14/1), Borussia Dortmund (25/1) and Juventus (25/1) completing the top nine, followed by Brazilian pair Palmeiras (33/1) and Flamengo (33/1).
Check out the full list of Club World Cup odds here.
Data-Led Club World Cup Predictions & Analytics
When diving deeper into potential outcomes, advanced metrics like xGF (expected goals for) and clean sheet percentage give a more predictive edge than headline form.
Here’s what the data tells us about the leading contenders:
Bayern Munich had the highest xGF of 2.41 per 90 mins in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, so star forward Harry Kane could be an interesting option in the Golden Boot market.
Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer kept seven clean sheets in 14 games (50%) in the UEFA Champions League - although six of those shut-outs came in the league phase, suggesting Inter’s games could be high-scoring if they progress beyond the group stage.
Botafogo games featured over 2.5 goals in 61% of their Copa Libertadores matches in 2024 - a contrast to their domestic fixtures as their games currently average just 1.6 goals per-game in Serie A.
Inter Miami have seen goals at both ends in 75% of their MLS games this season, a trend that could offer value in the group stages..
From a statistical perspective, it looks as if high-scoring games should be expected but the stats don’t necessarily tell the full story in a competition like this. All of these teams will be used to dominating domestically and continentally, but some of those teams will find themselves in an unfamiliar underdog role and could be tempted to adopt more defensive approaches. Taking that into account, the under 2.5 goals market could offer some interesting value options in the early rounds of fixtures.
says Gareth Freeman.
Club World Cup Outright Prediction
Real Madrid to win the Club World Cup @ 4/1
Real Madrid can back up their favouritism by going all the way and taking the title at the Club World Cup.
Los Blancos are clearly taking this competition seriously, a point emphasised by the fact they paid Liverpool an early exit fee to free up new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold for this tournament. Real also finished the season without major silverware and this competition provides new manager Xabi Alonso with a chance to impress and claim a trophy in the very early stages of his tenure.
Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan both come into the tournament after quick turnarounds in regards to their runs to the UEFA Champions League final, while holders Manchester City endured a tough campaign domestically and didn’t make much of an impression on Europe this season as they were well beaten by Real in the UEFA Champions League.
Dark Horses to Watch
Flamengo to reach the semi-finals @ 11/2
Real Madrid look a backable favourite but their city rivals Atletico Madrid can’t be overlooked either, particularly at 14/1.
Atleti only finished eight points behind Real in La Liga and they have a talented and experienced squad. They have been handed a tough group-stage draw, but if they can emerge from that first round they have the tools to take care of any rival in a one-off game.
The last 11 editions of the Club World Cup have been won by a European team but this expanded format could throw up some surprises and Flamengo seem well placed to go far from the South American representatives. They currently lead the way in Brazil’s Serie A and have been handed a favourable draw in the group stages.
Flamengo are 33/1 to go all the way and 11/2 to reach the last four, while they also offer good value at 9/4 to top Group D in what appears to be a two-way battle between themselves and Chelsea.
Gareth Freeman adds:
The eventual winner will probably come from Europe, but a few big teams will come up against each other in the early rounds and in this expanded format there is clearly room for a non-European team to make a run into the latter stages. Flamengo have a kind draw and they’ve been in good form in their domestic league, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see them reach at least the last four.
Expert Tip
Julian Alvarez Top Atletico Madrid Team Scorer @ 15/8
Alexander Sorloth was Atletico Madrid’s leading scorer in La Liga with 20 goals and he leads the market to be their top scorer at the Club World Cup but Julian Alvarez could be the better option.
Alvarez’s own La Liga campaign was perhaps a little underwhelming but he excelled in cup competitions. The Argentine striker hit seven goals in 10 UEFA Champions League games and managed five in seven Copa del Rey outings. He could be Los Colchoneros’ main marksman this summer.
Read more football betting tips and predictions on site
Who Lifts the Club World Cup?
UEFA have the most spots at the Club World Cup and the leading contenders for overall glory all come from Europe.
PSG sent out a huge statement with their incredible UEFA Champions League success, capped off with a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the final, but there is a risk of burnout due to the quick turnaround.
Three of the last five winners have come from the Premier League so Manchester City and Chelsea have to be rated as serious contenders, but Spain have been the dominant force in recent years with six wins in the last 10 editions of the competition.
Both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid ended the season without any major silverware and both will be desperate to put that right at the Club World Cup. Real’s favourable draw, both in terms of their group and likely route to the final, makes them look like the team to beat in the USA.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
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