Real Madrid vs Pachuca Tips, Predictions and Bet Builder

Following a surprise draw in their opening game against Al Hilal, Sunday's clash with Pachuca looks like something of a must-win for Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants were held to a 1-1 draw by Al-Hilal in their Club World Cup opener, seeing a stoppage-time penalty saved to deny them a victory.

Up next it's Mexican opponents for Real, with Pachuca looking to bounce back from their opening game defeat at the hands of RB Salzburg.

Real Madrid vs Pachuca Tips Summary

Market	Tip	Odds
Match Result	Real Madrid	2/7
Best Bet	Real Madrid and BTTS	7/4
Bet Builder	Vinicius Junior to score, Over 28.5 shots, 2nd Half Most Goals	8/1

Key Match Stats

• Real Madrid's draw with Al-Hilal was their first in their last 13 matches

• Pachuca have won just one of their last six competitive matches

• The 1-1 scoreline in Real's CWC opener was the first time in seven games that Kylian Mbappe failed to find the net

• Real won 3-0 against Pachuca in the 2024 Intercontinental Cup final, played in December

• The Spanish outfit enjoyed 65% possession in that 2024 clash in Qatar

Real Madrid vs Pachuca Prediction

Best Bet: Real Madrid to win and BTTS @ 7/4

New head coach Xabi Alonso will demand a response from his players after that frustrating draw in Miami and a win looks crucial if Real are to progress to the knockout stages.

Last year's Intercontinental Cup final showed the gap between these two sides, although there have been some key changes in recent months.

It was a much-changed Madrid back four against Al Hilal, with Trent Alexander-Arnold amongst those making their Real debuts.

Another was Dean Huijsen, who started at centre-back following his recent switch from Bournemouth, having made just 32 appearances for the Cherries.

So you can expect Real to dominate possession, but there is the likelihood that they will also give up chances at the other end and Pachuca have the ability in attacking positions to find the net.

Warren Ashurst explains:

There's normally plenty of entertainment when Real are in action and I expect more of the same on Sunday, with Alonso believing his team should be too strong for Pachuca.

Real Madrid vs Pachuca Bet Builder Tip

• Vinicius Junior to score

• Over 28.5 shots

• 2nd Half Most Goals

  Pays 8/1

Vinicius Junior scored the third goal in the 3-0 win over Pachuca late last year, netting a penalty in the final six minutes.

Last season might have been frustrating for Real, but the Brazilian chipped in with 21 goals and 18 assists in all competitions.

As with the meeting in the Intercontinental Cup final, the Spanish giants are expected to dominate possession against their Mexican opponents.

There were 32 shots in Real's opening game against Al-Hilal and expect plenty of efforts on goal in this Group H encounter.

With so much of the ball, Alonso's men may take their time to break down the opposition, which could see more goalmouth action in the second half.

It's also worth noting that six of their last 10 goals have come after the half-time break.

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Warren Ashurst adds:

Real could do with a statement win. Some of their new signings could also do with settling their nerves and proving to the fans that they can have an impact at the Bernabeu.

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Tactics, Form and Team news

Real look set to be without Mbappe on Sunday, after the Frenchman was taken to earlier hospital this week with a case of acute gastroenteritis.

If Mbappe doesn't feature, then Vinicius Junior could play in a more central role and there could be an opportunity for Arda Guler to start.

Real also have fitness concerns over Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal.

Expected Real Madrid line-up (4-3-3): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Huijsen, Ascensio, Fran Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Guler.

Pachuca are expected to stick with the majority of the team that started the 2-1 defeat to RB Salzburg.

That means two former La Liga players should start - Salomon Rondon, formerly of Las Palmas and Malaga, and on-loan Real Valladolid winger Kenedy.

Expected Pachuca line-up (4-3-3): Moreno; Luis Rodriguez, Bauermann, Pereira, Bryan Gonzalez; Montiel, Pedraza, Palavecino; Dominguez, Rondon, Kenedy.

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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.