Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
One of the second round matches of the Club World Cup will take place on Sunday at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, where Real Madrid will host Mexico's Pachuca. Here’s a betting pick for the outcome of this clash with an appealing odds value.
Match preview
So far, this Club World Cup has been anything but regal for Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso’s side took to the pitch against Al Hilal without their main striker Mbappé and couldn’t hold on for a win, allowing their opponents to snatch a draw. The defense, in particular, deserves scrutiny: despite dominating possession, Los Blancos once again showed vulnerability on set pieces and were caught out on quick counterattacks.
Now, Real have no margin for error, but a walkover against Pachuca is far from guaranteed. Sure, the Spaniards remain favorites on paper, with the stronger squad and higher class, but they clearly lack cohesion and sharpness in the final third. Without Mbappé, the burden on Vinicius and Rodrygo increases, and if the Mexicans successfully shut down the wings, Madrid will be forced to look for creative solutions to break the deadlock.
Pachuca arrived at the tournament without any big-name stars, but with plenty of ambition to trouble the favorites. In their match against Salzburg, the Mexicans didn’t look like pushovers: they actually outshot and earned more corners than the Austrians, though a 1-2 defeat left a bitter taste. Crucially, Pachuca continues to show a willingness to attack and take risks, even against more illustrious opponents.
On the flip side, Pachuca’s track record at the Club World Cup leaves much to be desired: just one win in regular time out of ten matches speaks for itself. Still, Lozano’s men know how to defend as a unit and keep games tight, minimizing the score gap. That makes them a potentially tricky opponent for Real, who can’t afford to drop points.
Probable lineups
- Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois – Dean Donny Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fran García, Raúl Asensio – Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde – Vinicius Junior, Gonzalo García, Rodrygo Goes.
- Pachuca: Carlos Moreno – Bryan González, Luis Rodríguez, Federico Pereira, Eduardo Gabriel – Elias Montiel, Pedro Pedraza – Agustin Palavecino, Alexey Dominguez, Robert Kennedy – Salomón Rondón.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Real Madrid haven’t won by more than two goals in their last seven matches at the Club World Cup and Champions League.
- Pachuca haven’t lost by more than two goals in their previous 26 games at the Club World Cup and CONCACAF Champions League.
- The teams have never faced each other in official matches.
Prediction
Given the current form and circumstances, a rout from Real Madrid seems unlikely. Yes, their quality is higher, but lack of chemistry and Mbappé’s absence give Pachuca a real shot at a respectable result. The Mexicans are unlikely to collapse and should keep their defense tight until the final whistle. My prediction: "Pachuca with a (+2) handicap" at odds of 1.70.
