Verdict: Real Madrid win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to get their Club World Cup adventure underway with an early statement of intent, Real Madrid will meet Al-Hilal at the Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid
Starting with Real Madrid, enduring the 2024/25 campaign without a single piece of silverware to show for their troubles, Los Blancos will get a new era underway on Wednesday night. With it officially confirmed last month that Xabi Alonso would be Carlo Ancelotti’s permeant replacement, the former Bayer Leverkusen boss is desperate for his new squad to lay down an early marker here. Although the Spanish giants might have been hugely frustrated last season as they relinquished their domestic crown to arch-rivals Barcelona, they did draw a line under proceedings with an extended flurry. Along with winning their final three La Liga appearances by an aggregate score of 6-1, Real Madrid did muster 21 points from their final eight La Liga showdowns. Excited to get Alonso’s tenure underway on Wednesday night, Los Blancos are rightfully regarded as a standout contender at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Real Madrid Team News
Both completing their own blockbuster moves to the Spanish capital this month, both Dean Huijsen and England international Trent Alexander-Arnold have been included in Alonso’s travelling squad. Likewise, featuring for England over the past fortnight, Jude Bellingham has also joined up with his teammates this week.
Claiming Spain’s Golden Boot last season in what was his maiden La Liga campaign, French skipper Kylian Mbappe will lead the line on Wednesday night. Despite speculation over a summer move away, Ukrainian shot-stopper Andriy Lunin could start between the sticks.
Al-Hilal
As for Al-Hilal, despite eventually having to settle for a silver medal finish among Saudi Arabia’s elite last season, the Riyadh-based outfit did sign off the 2024/25 campaign with their own respective flurry. Stealing plenty of the headlines this month as they officially announced the arrival of former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, the Blues will be relishing a trip to the Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday night. Last seen on May 26th clinching a 2-0 victory at home against Al-Qadisiya, they suffered just a single defeat from any of their final eight Pro League appearances. Notching a staggering 95 goals in their 34 top-flight showdowns last season and gaining a reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third, Al-Hilal will be confident of asking some real questions here.
Al-Hilal Team News
In a squad that is glittering with some real heavyweight names, the likes of Ruben Neves, Renan Lodi and former Lazio ace Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will all feature on Wednesday night. Likewise, ex-Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly will start at the heart of Inzaghi’s defence in midweek.
Bagging a World Cup qualifying hat-trick against Andorra last week, Serbian skipper and former Fulham marksman Aleksandar Mitrovic will lead the line here. Moroccan shot-stopper Bono has travelled over to the United States and will start between the sticks in Florida.
Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal Key Factors to Consider
- When Real Madrid and Al-Hilal last met at the Club World Cup back in February 2023, Los Blancos collected an action-packed 5-3 victory.
- Real Madrid mustered 21 points from their final eight La Liga appearances last season.
- Claiming Spain’s Golden Boot last season, French skipper Kylian Mbappe recorded 31 La Liga strikes last season.
- Al-Hilal recorded just a quartet of clean sheets in any of their final 11 appearances across all competitions.
- Likewise, the Saudi giants also failed to notch a single clean sheet on their travels since returning from March’s international break.
Conclusion
In what will be Alonso’s first game in charge, Real Madrid will be desperate to get their Club World Cup campaign underway with an early statement in Florida. Winning seven of their final eight La Liga appearances last season, the Spanish icons will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders this summer. However, landing an action-packed 5-3 victory when they last met Al-Hilal back in February 2023, Los Blancos are rightfully pencilled in as a standout contender here. With all eyes falling on the Hard Rock Stadium in midweek, it is no surprise that Alonso’s new squad are pencilled in as a standout contender.
Verdict: Real Madrid win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
