Real Madrid head into a must-win clash on the final day of Group H in the 2025 Club World Cup, an unexpected twist for a team of their stature.
Los Blancos will take on Red Bull Salzburg in what promises to be a tense, high-stakes encounter for both sides.
Xabi Alonso’s men responded well after a shaky start to the group, bouncing back from a frustrating 1-1 draw with Al Hilal, a game marred by Asensio's early red card, with a convincing 3-1 victory over Pachuca.
That win not only lifted spirits but also kept their fate in their own hands. A win against Salzburg secures top spot in Group H. A draw would be enough to advance, but could cost them first place if Al Hilal beats Pachuca.
Salzburg, meanwhile, will be ruing a missed opportunity. After edging out Pachuca 2-1 in their opener, they couldn’t find the breakthrough in a 0-0 stalemate with Al Hilal. That result means they enter the final round level on points with Real Madrid but now facing a more difficult path to the knockouts. If they draw and Al Hilal wins, Salzburg could be on the outside looking in.
According to Paddy Power, the favorite in this match is Real Madrid: A victory for the Spanish team pays at 1/4, while Salzburg goes up to 8/1. The draw is at 9/2.
The Sporting News presents odds and predictions to bet and make the match more exciting.
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Real Madrid vs. Salzburg prediction, tips, bet builder and odds for Club World Cup clash
Real Madrid win & under 3.5 goals scored: 13/8 (Spreadex)
Madrid’s 3-1 win over Pachuca was their first under Xabi Alonso, and a welcome return to form. Still, this isn’t a team overflowing with goals at the moment. With Kylian Mbappe sidelined by illness, Vini Jr. struggling for rhythm, and youngster Gonzalo García leading the line, Madrid has leaned on a more measured approach. In fact, they’ve hit the under in four of their last five matches: 2-1 vs Mallorca, 2-0 vs Sevilla, 2-0 vs Real Sociedad, and 3-1 vs Pachuca.
Trent Alexander-Arnold to score or assist: 11/10 (Spreadex)
The England right-back arrived at the Bernabeu as a free agent, but Madrid shelled out nearly €10 million to bring him in early for the Club World Cup. Known for his pinpoint delivery and attacking flair, Trent is poised to make an impact. He’s yet to fully shine in the U.S., but with 64 assists and four goals in his final Premier League season for Liverpool, his creativity could be the X-factor in this crucial fixture.
RB Salzburg vs. Real Madrid predicted lineups, team news
The biggest name to know in the RB Salzburg squad is 21-year-old attacking midfielder Oscar Gloukh, who already has 21 caps for Israel and has been linked with Liverpool in the last few years.
Ivorian defender Karim Konate is out after tearing his ACL back in November, while midfielder Nicolas Capaldo was not included on the roster while he recovers from a broken toe. Those are just two of a number of injuries that impacted the RB Salzburg squad for this competition.
That was worsened as Valentin Sulzbacher was withdrawn early in the second half of their opener with a thigh injury and missed the recent draw with Al Hilal.
- RB Salzburg predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): Zawieschitzky (GK) — Lainer, Gadou, Rasmussen, Kratzig — Dorgeles, Bidstrup, Diabate, Gloukh — Baidoo, Onisiwo.
Injured: Konate (ACL), Capaldo (foot), Kawamura (knee), Schlager (hand), Guindo (knee), Sulzbacher (thigh), Caufriez (back).
Suspended: None.
On a yellow card: Diabate, Kitano.
Kylian Mbappe was hospitalised by a bout of gastroenteritis and missed the first two matches of the Club World Cup, but was discharged ahead of the Pachuca game and is likely to return. Given Madrid's qualification to the knockout stage and the good performances by Gonzalo Garcia in the first two games, Mbappe could be started on the bench and eased back in for future matches.
Endrick, the usual cover for Mbappe, did not travel due to a hamstring injury and remains sidelined as part of the lengthy absentee list. However, that eased somewhat as Antonio Rudiger returned from a knee injury in a late substitute appearance against Pachuca and may be eased back in.
Trent Alexander-Arnold could be rested after a grueling first two starts with the club, but with Dani Carvajal still out, there's very little cover at the right-back position. Jude Bellingham may be another candidate for rest, but midfield is also thin with Eduardo Camavinga still absent with a muscle injury of his own. Raul Asencio is suspended after his early red card against Pachuca.
MORE: All the latest Real Madrid news
- Real Madrid predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Valverde, Ramon, Huijsen, F. Garcia — Guler, Tchouameni, Ceballos — Rodrygo, G. Garcia, Vinicius Jr.
Injured: Mbappe (illness, doubt), Carvajal (knee), Camavinga (knee), Endrick hamstring), Militao (knee), Mendy (muscle).
Suspended: Asencio (red card).
On a yellow card: Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid vs. Salzburg predicted score and most likely results
Here's some of the most likely results for this Club World Cup match-up, according to Paddy Power.
| Result | Odds |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid 2-1 | 17/2 |
| Real Madrid 2-0 | 81/10 |
| Real Madrid 3-0 | 9/1 |
| Real Madrid 3-1 | 9/1 |
| Real Madrid 1-0 | 11/1 |
| Draw 1-1 | 12/1 |
| Real Madrid 4-0 | 13/1 |
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How to watch Real Madrid vs. Salzburg in Club World Cup action
- Date: Friday, June 27, 2025
- Venue: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Time: 2:00 a.m. BST
- TV/Streaming: DAZN
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