Álvaro Hernández
Dailysports's expert
Group H is set to deliver more than just the Real vs. Al-Hilal showdown on the night of June 19, as Pachuca and Salzburg lock horns in what promises to be a captivating clash.
Let’s break down which prediction looks the most promising.
See also: France U-21 vs Poland U-21: prediction and probable lineups – June 17, 2025
Match preview
Salzburg, a surprise inclusion for many, have booked their ticket to the Club World Cup and are preparing to represent Europe in their debut match against Mexico’s Pachuca.
Salzburg finished second in their domestic league, trailing Sturm by just two points after losing their head-to-head clash three rounds from the end—effectively conceding the title. The Austrian side is prolific in attack but rarely keeps a clean sheet, which sets the stage for an entertaining encounter against the Mexican outfit.
Pachuca, who qualified as the reigning CONCACAF Cup champions, also ended their season on a low note, crashing out in the Clausura playoff quarterfinals to Club América without scoring in either leg.
The Mexican side favors a pragmatic, vertical style of football, which often leads to structural gaps and defensive vulnerabilities—something their opponents frequently exploit. For instance, matches involving Pachuca in the Mexican Clausura averaged three goals, making them one of the most entertaining teams to watch.
Probable lineups
Pachuca: Moreno, Berlanga, Bauermann, Aceves, Gonzalez, Pedraza, Montil, Sigala, Bautista, Idrissi, Rondon
Salzburg: Schlager, Trummer, Gadu, Baidoo, Mellberg, Nene, Bidstrup, Kawamura, Glukh, Baidoo, Ratkov
Match facts and head-to-head
This will be the first-ever meeting between Pachuca and Salzburg
Salzburg have conceded at least one goal in 9 of their last 10 matches
The Over 2.5 goals bet has landed in 4 of Salzburg’s last 5 games
Prediction
In their Club World Cup debuts, both teams will be eager to make a statement, which should translate into plenty of action in front of goal. My recommendation: bet on over 2.5 goals at odds of 1.92.
