Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
On June 18, 2025, the first round of the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in Group H with a showdown between Real Madrid and Al Hilal. The match is set to begin at 21:00 Central European Time. Let’s take a closer look at a bet focused on the number of goals in this encounter.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid arrives at yet another Club World Cup as a five-time winner of the tournament. The last time Los Blancos lifted the trophy was in 2022, when they defeated none other than their current opponents—Al Hilal—in the final.
The Spanish giants closed out last season on a three-match winning streak, ultimately finishing second in La Liga, just four points behind Barcelona. The team is now under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, who made a name for himself in recent seasons with Bayer Leverkusen. Real is entering a new era—under a fresh manager and with a revamped squad.
This tournament will mark the debut of two new signings: defender Din Haysen, who joined from Bournemouth, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who recently became part of the team. What’s more, this will be the final tournament for Luka Modric, who is set to leave the club. All of this adds extra significance to this year’s championship for Real and for Xabi Alonso personally.
Al Hilal
Like their upcoming rivals, Al Hilal boasts an impressive pedigree at the Club World Cup. The Saudi side played in the third-place matches in both 2019 and 2021, but missed out on the medals on both occasions. In 2022, Al Hilal came closer than ever to the title, only to fall to Real in the final. The team missed last year’s tournament, where Al-Ittihad represented Saudi Arabia instead.
Last season, Al Hilal failed to defend their domestic league crown, with Al-Ittihad capitalizing to claim the title. Although Al-Ittihad officially finished as champions, it’s Al Hilal who have enjoyed more frequent success in recent years, earning them their spot in this Club World Cup.
The club has undergone a significant change on the bench—now led by seasoned coach Simone Inzaghi, who previously guided Inter Milan to the Champions League final. Appointing a manager with strong European experience underscores the club’s ambitions.
Al Hilal’s squad features a host of well-known European stars, making them competitive even against the continent’s elite. On paper, Real and Al Hilal are the favorites to progress from Group H. Their main rivals for a playoff berth will be Austria’s Salzburg and Mexico’s Pachuca.
Probable lineups
- Real Madrid: Courtois, Garcia, Haysen, Asensio, Alexander-Arnold, Valverde, Güler, Vinicius, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappé.
- Al Hilal: Bono, Koulibaly, K. Al Dawsari, Al-Tambakti, Lodi, Neves, Aldawsari, Kanno, Sergej, Al Dawsari, Mitrović.
Key facts and head-to-head
- Real Madrid have won 4 of their last 5 matches.
- Al Hilal have also won 4 of their last 5 matches.
- The teams have only met once before—in the 2023 Club World Cup final, where Real emerged victorious with a 5-3 scoreline.
Prediction for Real Madrid vs Al Hilal
This match brings together two ambitious teams, each embarking on a new chapter with a new manager at the helm. Both Real and Al Hilal are likely to showcase fresh ideas and a renewed approach. Given the attacking potential on both sides, we can expect an exciting and likely high-scoring contest. A draw is certainly possible—especially in an opener where both teams may look to test themselves and adapt to new systems rather than take undue risks. My pick for this match: over 3.5 goals at odds of 2.00.
