The third round of group stage games at the 2025 Club World Cup begins this evening and the competition has certainly grown more intriguing following a second round in which it became clear the South American teams are going to be a serious threat to the European powerhouses.
Our picks for the fixtures which will decide which teams contest the knockout rounds draws influence from this emerging trend both indirectly and directly.
Avoiding Flamengo motivation for Bayern to best Benfica
Bayern Munich are a generous Evens to beat Benfica in Charlotte and such a price can only be down to a suspicion that they may rest some players having already qualified for the last eight.
However, failure to win Group C seems certain to land them a tough tie against Brasiliero leaders Flamengo, who comfortably beat Chelsea 3-1 on Friday.
That ought to be motivation enough to see Vincent Kompany pick a strong XI in search of the win against the Portuguese, who Die Roten beat 1-0 in the Champions League last November.
Bayern Munich to beat Benfica
@ evens
River dismissively priced in Inter clash given Group E form
Inter Milan are 20/21 to beat 14/5 underdogs River Plate in the game that will decide who tops their section and those odds look far too lopsided on what’s transpired so far.
Both drew with Mexico’s Monterrey, while River comfortably saw off Urawa Red Diamonds 3-1, whereas Inter needed a 92nd minute winner to overcome the Japanese outfit 2-1.
On that evidence the 4/5 about the Argentines in the double chance market holds some appeal, but not as much as the 7/4 about them to win with the draw no bet concession. Having had marginally the better of their common opponents with Inter, they could easily nick it.
River Plate win (draw no bet) vs Inter Milan
@ 7/4
Odds on few goals in Al Hilal vs Pachuca are too big not to play
A win over already-eliminated Pachuca could be enough for Al Hilal to leapfrog Red Bull Salzburg into the knockout rounds if the Austrians lose their last group game to Real Madrid.
They certainly look to have the defensive strength to underpin victory having shipped once to Los Blancos and shut out Salzburg so far. However, their only goal in the USA has come from the penalty sport, which makes them queasy win prospects at 9/20.
Given Pachuca have scored a modest once in each of their outings in the CWC and may struggle to find a way past the Saudis’ classy backline, under 2.5 goals looks far too big at 8/5.
Al Hilal vs Pachuca - under 2.5 goals
@ 8/5
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