Real Madrid v Pachuca: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Real Madrid are having a more problematic season in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League than usual but they have a chance to add another trophy to their collection when they meet Mexican club Pachuca in the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final in Qatar on Wednesday.

The Spanish side received a bye to the final of the tournament, which features the club champions of the six FIFA confederations, while Pachuca have fought through two rounds to earn the right to face the UEFA Champions League winners.

Carlo Ancelotti has included a handful of youngsters in his 24-man squad but many of his star names are likely to be on show at the Lusail Stadium.

Real Madrid v Pachuca betting tips and predictions

Real Madrid to win to nil - 1/1

Real Madrid have work to do if they want to win La Liga or the UEFA Champions League this season but they should not miss the opportunity to pick up a global trophy on Wednesday.

The Spanish side have fallen to third place in their domestic league behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid after dropping points in two of their last three games with a 2-1 loss at Athletic Bilbao and Saturday's 3-3 draw at Rayo Vallecano. 

However, in between they cruised to a smooth 3-0 away win at Girona and earned a notable road success at Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League, so they are not so far off the pace to suggest an upset might be brewing.

The Mexican side have more experience of the conditions having been playing in Qatar for a week. Their opening result was a 3-0 win over Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo, but they had only a third of the possession in the match and lost the corners battle 9-1. 

The Brazilian team paid the price for some wayward shooting with only two of their 10 attempts on target and Madrid and likely to be far more clinical.

Pachuca then earned a place in the final by beating Al Ahly 6-5 in a shootout following a goalless game on Saturday, when they had less than 50 per cent possession and fewer shots than the Egyptian side.

Of more concern is the manner in which Pachuca ended the recent Mexican Primera Apertura campaign as they lost six of their last eight games with their only win coming against strugglers Necaxa.

Pachuca should lack the firepower to trouble the European giants and a Madrid side who have kept four clean sheets in their last six La Liga matches can pick up the trophy without conceding a goal.

Real Madrid -2 on handicap - 6/4

Ancelotti's side have not lacked goals despite their patchy opening to the season and they could turn on the style against the underdogs in the showpiece event.

Madrid have scored three goals in three successive away games and Liverpool and Barcelona are the only teams to have kept them at bay in their last 13 matches. Pachuca are not in that class and given their poor possession stats so far in the tournament, they may not see much of the ball at all in this match.

With Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. both available as they work their way back to full fitness after injuries, the Mexican side could be in danger of being carved open regularly and a wide-margin Madrid win is possible.

Jude Bellingham anytime goalscorer - 6/4

England ace Jude Bellingham is on a sensational run of scoring form and should fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet again in Qatar.

Bellingham didn't score in his first 12 appearances this season after a prolific 2023/24 campaign which saw him score 28 times including two crucial goals for the Three Lions at Euro 2024.

However, he has not looked back since opening his account against Osasuna in early November, scoring in seven of his last eight appearances and failing to hit the net only in the 2-0 UEFA Champions League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

The former Birmingham City and Borussia Dortmund ace has a golden opportunity to keep his red-hot run going.

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Real Madrid v Pachuca odds

Real Madrid - 2/9
Draw - 11/2
Pachuca - 11/1

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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.