Pachuca vs. Salzburg: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Group H of the 2025 Club World Cup gets underway on Wednesday with Pachuca to face Salzburg in the second of the two clashes at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.

The matchup pits the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners against what could be the weakest European side, with the Austrian team coming off a disappointing domestic campaign.

Mexican team Pachuca, runners-up in last year’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup, arrive with a point to prove after an inconsistent domestic run.

Tuzos finished 16th in the Torneo Apertura but reached the quarter-finals of the Torneo Clausura, defeating Monterrey in the play-in round. 

Salzburg are looking to rebuild after a dismal campaign that saw them beaten in the domestic title race again and suffer some humiliating losses in the UEFA Champions League as they finished third-to-last in the expanded league phase.

Both sides will be desperate to claim an early advantage in a group that also features Real Madrid and Al Hilal.

Pachuca vs. Salzburg Betting Picks and Predictions

Half-time result - Pachuca (+210)

Pachuca’s preparations for the tournament appear to have gone well with Jaime Lozano’s side on top for most of their warm-up match against Al Ahly.

John Kennedy opened the scoring for Tuzos after a well-crafted one-two on the edge of the box and the Mexican outfit had several other chances to increase their advantage.

The Egyptian side, who held Inter Miami to a 0-0 draw in the tournament’s opening match, levelled the score after the break with their only shot on target of the match.

Pachuca then forced the issue right until the last moment when the referee blew for full-time, although they claimed victory after a penalty shoot-out.

Tuzos looked sharper than their opponents and, with Monterrey having exposed Inter Milan’s early lethargy on Tuesday night, they may be able to follow the example of their fellow Mexico-based team.

Salzburg’s scheduled friendly against Seekirchen was postponed, potentially leaving Thomas Letsch’s side short of match practice ahead of this game.

The Red Bulls have not played a game in almost a month and will be without their influential Japanese midfielder Takumu Kawamura, who sustained an injury in the team’s latest training session.

Salzburg trailed at the break in four of their last six Austrian Bundesliga games and it could be worth backing them to be behind again on Wednesday night.

Both teams to score - Yes (-188)

Neither team looks particularly solid in defense, with Pachuca having kept only three clean sheets in their last 17 domestic matches and Salzburg having shipped a staggering 27 goals in their eight UEFA Champions League games last term.

Pachuca scored 19 goals in seven games when winning last year's CONCACAF Champions Cup, and they have been creating plenty of chances for their in-form forwards Salomon Rondon and Kennedy.

Salzburg’s defensive issues were not restricted to European competition, as they conceded 36 goals in their 32 league games, seven more than in the previous campaign.

But the Red Bulls did manage to score 53 league goals in total, with eight out of their last 10 matches featuring both teams on the scoresheet. 

This clash of two clubs that like to play on the front foot could follow along the same lines, with attacking pressure forcing defensive mistakes that result in goals.

Salomon Rondon anytime goalscorer (+175)

Rondon remains Pachuca’s main attacking threat and his presence up front could unsettle the Red Bulls’ inexperienced central defenders.

Samson Baidoo is 21 and Joane Gadou is only 18 and has a total of just 22 top-flight appearances under his belt. 

Rondon netted 15 league goals last season and scored in some of Pachuca’s key international fixtures in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The Venezuelan veteran looks a standout choice to register against a Salzburg side that conceded at least three goals in six of their eight UEFA Champions League games last term.

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Pachuca vs. Salzburg odds

Pachuca	+155
Tie	+250
Salzburg	+162

Pachuca vs. Salzburg player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Salomon Rondon (Pachuca)	+175
Karim Onisiwo (Salzburg)	+175
Petar Ratkov (Salzburg)	+175
Oscar Gloukh (Salzburg)	+187
Sota Kitano (Salzburg)	+187
Jesus Brigido (Pachuca)	+187
John Kennedy (Pachuca)	+200

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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.