Chelsea return the Club World Cup to defend their title, after winning the 2021 edition.
They’ll face a LAFC side who are making their debut in this competition, qualifying via a playoff match against Club America.
Although this might not be Bayern vs Auckland, it is still a David vs Goliath type fixture for the US outfit, and I’m backing David’s slingshot to misfire here.
Seven of LA’s last nine games have seen over 3,5 total goals scored, I’m backing the overs to salute again, combined with a goal from Cole Palmer and a victory for the Blues.
Argentine Giants Boca Juniors return to the Club World Cup for the 2nd time after falling agonizingly short in 2007, losing to AC Milan in the final.
They’ll take on Portuguese powerhouse Benfica, who are making their debut in the competition.
Benfica’s last 11 competitive fixtures have averaged an eyewaterinw 3.89 goals, an I’m sensing another high scoring fixture to materialise here.
Miguel Merentiel has scored twice and laid on two assists across Boca’s last four games, while Vangelis Pavlidis found the back of the net 29 times for Benfica this season.
I’m backing the aforementioned players to either score or assist in what should be a high scoring fixture.
Brazilian champions Fluminense are looking to go one better than their last CWC campaign, when they lost 4-0 in the final against Man City in 2023.
They’ll be facing German giants Dortmund, a side who lifted the Intercontinental Cup in 1997 with a victory over another Brazilian side, Cruzeiro.
These two outfits have never faced each other in a competitive fixture, such is the beauty and opportunity of this new international format.
Dortmund has scored an average 3.3 goals per game across their last six fixtures, and finished the Bundesliga in a flurry to secure UCL football next season.
Meanwhile Fluminense score 2+ goals in six of the last seven fixtures, so both sides are in scoring form!
I’m backing Dortmund to win, both sides to score, and taking this season’s Champions League joint-top scorer Serhou Guirassy to find the back of the net.
This is the first time and Italian side and a Mexican outfit have ever met in this competition, and I’m betting it’s going to be oneway traffic.
Inter endured a promising, yet agonising season, losing the Seri A on the final day to Napoli, and reaching the UCL Final, only to get spanked 5-0 by PSG.
The Italian giants have since changed their manager, and will be looking to regain some respect in this competition.
I have Inter winning, combined with a goal from star man, Lautaro Martinez.
This one could be a bloodbath.
Man City endured their worst season in some time, going without a trophy in all comps and finishing 3rd in the League behind Liverpool and Arsenal.
They’ll take on Wydad AC, a side who also underperformed in their domestic league, finishing 3rd, after drawing a European high 12 games.
City won the last edition of the CWC, be it in an easier format, with a 3-0 over Urawa Red Diamonds and a 4-0 victory over Fluminense enough to lift the trophy.
Wydad have lost all three of their previous fixtures in the CWC, and a miles off the standard of their counterparts here.
I have Man City leading at both half, combined with a hat-trick from Haaland and a clean sheet.
Real Madrid and Al Hilal face off in a rematch of the 2022 CWC final, a game which Real won 5-3, and lifting a record breaking 5th CWC Trophy.
Both Real and Al Hilal finished 2nd in their respective domestic competitions, with defense plaguing both outfits.
Xabi Alonso will take control of Madrid for this tournament, the club legend taking the reigns off of Carlo Ancelotti.
The man to watch in this fixture is Kylian Mbappe, who finished the season in spectacular form, scoring 10 of his side’s last 14 goals.
I’m backing Mbappe to have his say in a high scoring victory for the Spanish Giants.