Al Hilal vs Pachuca prediction, H2H and probable lineups - June 27, 2025
On June 27, at Geodis Park in Nashville, representatives from Saudi Arabia and Mexico — Al Hilal and Pachuca — will clash in the final group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Here’s a pick for the outcome of this encounter with solid chances for success.
Match preview
Al Hilal have shown remarkable character and organization in this tournament, more than worthy of challenging Europe’s elite. The team opened with two draws: first, they sensationally took points off Real Madrid (1-1), then held Salzburg to a goalless stalemate. The Saudis are well-drilled at the back and remain a constant threat up front — even without their key striker, Aleksandar Mitrović, who could return just in time for this decisive fixture.
Al Hilal’s recent stats are impressive: the club has avoided defeat in regular time in 13 of their last 15 AFC Champions League and Club World Cup matches. In 24 of their previous 26 games, they’ve scored at least once, frequently opening the scoring and dictating the tempo. Against the Mexicans, Al Hilal must aim for nothing less than maximum points — ideally with a cushion — to guarantee their spot in the round of 16.
Pachuca, on the other hand, have been a major disappointment for their fans at this Club World Cup, losing both matches against European opposition. The defeat to Salzburg (1-2) could have been chalked up to underestimation, but the loss to Real Madrid — where the Mexicans played nearly the entire match with a man advantage yet still fell 1-3 — was a worrying sign of the team’s true form. With one match left in the group stage, Pachuca have already lost any chance of advancing to the playoffs — a win in the final round would only lift them as high as third place.
Their form leaves much to be desired: even before the tournament, Pachuca went four matches without a win in the domestic league, and their winless streak has now stretched to six official games (four losses and two draws). Defensively, the Mexicans are making far too many mistakes, while their attack often relies on individual flashes. With nothing to play for, it will be tough for Lozano’s men to find the motivation and mindset needed to put up a real fight against Al Hilal.
Probable lineups
- Al Hilal: Yassine Bounou, Kalidou Koulibaly, Renan Lodi, Hassan Al-Tambakti, João Cancelo, Salem Al-Dawsari, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Malcom, Rúben Neves, Marcos Leonardo.
- Pachuca: Carlos Moreno, Bryan González, Luis Rodríguez, Federico Pereira, Eduardo Gabriel, Elías Montiel, Alan Bautista, Agustín Palavecino, Alexei Domínguez, Robert Kennedy, Salomón Rondón.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Al Hilal have scored in 24 of their last 26 AFC Champions League and Club World Cup games
- Pachuca have won only once in regular time in their last 11 Club World Cup matches
- Five of Pachuca’s last six matches in the CONCACAF Champions League and Club World Cup saw both teams score
Prediction
Al Hilal need a convincing victory to avoid depending on results elsewhere and secure their playoff berth. The Saudis look stronger and better organized, while Pachuca’s lack of motivation only favors the favorites. The optimal bet: Al Hilal to win at odds of 1.68.
