FIFA Club World Cup: Real Madrid Tipped To Give Alonso Winning Start
The 2025 Club World Cup gets under way this weekend and the best betting sites have the markets covered for the 32-team tournament.
FIFA’s creation of an expanded event has not been without its controversy, but excitement is starting to build ahead of the big kick-off in the United States.
Several European giants, including English duo Chelsea and Manchester City and champions of Europe Paris Saint-Germain, will feature in the tournament that will run until July 13.
The 32 participants have been divided into eight groups of four, with the top two proceeding to the knock-out phase.
There are representatives from all six FIFA confederations, so the tournament will be nothing if not eclectic.
Here is our preview of the Club World Cup, focusing on three of the key markets offered by betting apps.
The Panel's Club World Cup Tips:
- The Panel Tip 1: Real Madrid to Win The Club World Cup - 4/1 With QuinnBet
- The Panel Tip 2: Manchester City To Reach The Final - 11/4 With 10Bet
- The Panel Tip 3: Atletico Madrid To Win Group B - 6/4 With Betway
Club World Cup Odds: Real Madrid Start As Favourites
After a long and gruelling season, it's hard to know how seriously each team will take the inaugural Club World Cup.
Ticket sales have been poor to the disappointment of FIFA, who will hope the tournament starts with a bang to attract more interest.
It is safe to say that almost all the non-European sides will view the Club World Cup as the most important event in their 2025 calendar, but teams from UEFA will probably have contrasting views.
Perhaps clubs that have had disappointing seasons overall, such as Real Madrid and Manchester City, will be inclined to go all out for silverware.
Other teams - like Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter – who have had particularly long campaigns in Europe may prefer to take things easier.
Madrid look like a smart choice to go all the way. The 15-time European champions are determined to become the inaugural winners of this new-look competition.
Having fallen short in La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, Madrid are craving another piece of silverware.
There could be teething problems, with Xabi Alonso having only just arrived as manager, but Madrid have the star quality to lift the trophy.
The Panel Tip 1: Real Madrid To Win The Club World Cup - 4/1 With QuinnBet
Club World Cup Prediction: City To Reach The Final
Manchester City, who are third favourites on football betting sites, also have reasons to take the Club World Cup seriously.
The opportunity to experiment ahead of the 2025/26 season, rather than the pursuit of silverware, is likely to be Pep Guardiola’s main priority.
However, it would be good for City to rediscover that winning feeling, after Guardiola’s first trophyless campaign since his debut season at the Etihad.
A team that dominated English football for years was allowed to grow old together, and this season proved to be one too many for several players in the City ranks.
The rebuilding process began in January, but it must now be accelerated this summer.
Yet for all that City suffered a marked decline in 2024/25, they still finished third in the Premier League.
No team on the planet would relish facing them in a knockout tie, so City should be taken very seriously at the Club World Cup.
Provided they win their group, Guardiola’s side will be on the opposite side of the draw to Madrid, and a place in the final is a distinct possibility.
The Panel Tip 2: Manchester City To Reach The Final - 11/4 With 10Bet
Club World Cup Preview: Atletico To Win Group B
Several of the eight groups at the Club World Cup have clear favourites to advance to the knock-out phase, but every tournament brings surprises, and this one will be no different.
In fact, there might even be more shocks than usual, given the differing levels of motivation among the teams involved.
Of course, it is hard to see anyone other than Auckland City finishing bottom of Group C, behind Bayern Munich, Benfica and Boca Juniors.
Seattle Sounders are likely to struggle to finish above any of Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Botafogo in Group B.
There's no guarantee that all the group winners will be European. Brazilian giants Palmeiras, currently top of their domestic league, will push Porto hard in Group A.
Flamengo could spring a surprise against Chelsea in Group D, while River Plate are capable of getting the better of Inter, who have replaced outgoing manager Simone Inzaghi with Cristian Chivu.
Group B is one of four that features two European teams. PSG are favourites to finish top, but it may be worth a punt on Atletico edging them out.
The Parisians will have little time to prepare for the Club World Cup following the Champions League final, and Atletico beat PSG in the Champions League in November.
The Panel Tip 3: Atletico Madrid To Win Group B - 6/4 With Betway
