Verdict: Real Madrid win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to officially punch their Club World Cup knockout stage ticket in the early hours of Friday, Real Madrid will meet Salzburg in Philadelphia.
Salzburg
Starting with Salzburg, while the Red Bulls not have been left frustrated last month as they eventually had settle for a silver medal finish among Austria’s elite, Thomas Letsch’s men have endured a bright summer run over in the United States. Getting proceedings underway with a 2-1 victory against Pachuca on June 18th, the former Bochum boss finds his squad sat in the driving seat to punch a knockout stage ticket in Philadelphia. Signing off the 2024/25 campaign with an action-packed 4-2 win against SK Rapid, Salzburg are enjoying their longest unbeaten run since returning from March’s international break. However, hit with a 5-1 drumming when they met Los Blancos for a Champions League group stage showdown back in January, Letsch’s side couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge.
Salzburg Team News
Both still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Salzburg are without the duo of Samson Tijani and Ivory Coast international Karim Konate here. Likewise, not featuring since the middle of April, former Boca Juniors youngster Nicolas Capaldo has not travelled to the United States this summer.
Completing a permanent switch from Brondby this month, Danish international Jacob Rasmussen will start at the east of Salzburg’s defence. Former Brentford midfielder Mads Bidstrup will feature in Philadelphia.
Real Madrid
As for Real Madrid, while Los Blancos might have opened their Club World Cup adventure with a downbeat 1-1 stalemate against Al-Hilal on June 18th, the Spanish giants officially got Xabi Alonso’s tenure underway last week. Claiming a 3-1 victory against Pachuca and climbing to the top of the Group H standings, the former Bayer Leverkusen boss is desperate to claim an immediate piece of silverware. Despite relinquishing their La Liga crown to arch-rivals Barcelona last month, Madrid have endured an extended flurry. Along with winning their final three La Liga appearances by an aggregate score of 6-1, Real Madrid have registered 13 points from their previous five matchups across all competitions. Landing that 5-1 win when they last met Salzburg back in January, Los Blancos will be seeking a repeat performance in the early hours of Friday.
Real Madrid Team News
Shown an early red card against Pachuca last week, academy graduate Raul Asencio will miss out through suspension here. While French skipper Kylian Mbappe might have missed out in Charlotte, Madrid’s attacking talisman is expected to return to Alonso’s squad.
Heavily linked with a move to Premier League giants Arsenal this summer, it will be interesting to see if Brazilian international Rodrygo will feature in the early hours of Friday. Notching a maiden Club World Cup strike against Pachuca, Arda Guler will be hoping to keep his spot from the start.
Salzburg vs Real Madrid Key Factors to Consider
- When Salzburg and Real Madrid met for a Champions League group stage showdown back in January, Los Blancos collected a thumping 5-1 victory on home soil.
- Along with winning their final three La Liga appearances by an aggregate score of 6-1, Real Madrid have registered 13 points from their previous five matchups across all competitions.
- Los Blancos have scored at least a pair of goals in seven of their last eight appearances.
- Salzburg’s 0-0 stalemate against Al-Hilal last week was just the second clean sheet they have recorded from their previous 11 matchups across all competitions.
- Real Madrid have recorded just two clean sheets in their last eight appearances across all fronts.
Conclusion
Officially getting Alonso’s tenure underway last weekend as they secured a 3-1 victory against Pachuca, Real Madrid will be looking to punch their knockout stage ticket with a statement of intent. With Alonso’s sights firmly set on handing Los Blancos an immediate piece of silverware, the Spanish giants will certainly be excited by their most recent showdown against Salzburg. Landing a 5-1 romp when they welcomed their Group H rivals to Madrid back in January, we are expecting a similar outcome in the early hours of Friday.
Verdict: Real Madrid win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Luckster
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