The Club World Cup competition is set to begin this Saturday. It`s time to gaze into the future and forecast the outcomes of this revamped tournament. Given that teams are entering after demanding seasons, it might be unclear which teams will prioritize the competition early on. However, in events like this, superior talent and squad depth typically prevail.
This situation could pose a challenge for Major League Soccer (MLS) teams, whose ability to build rosters capable of competing with global giants is limited by salary cap restrictions. Nevertheless, with participants like Inter Miami, the Seattle Sounders, and Los Angeles FC, they have a valuable opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities on the world stage. Surprises are often expected in such tournaments, so let`s delve into how the results might unfold.
Group Stage Predictions
GROUP A
| GROUP A | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porto | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
| Palmeiras | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6 |
| Inter Miami | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 |
| Al Ahly | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
Matchday 1
Al Ahly 1, Inter Miami 2
Palmeiras 0, Porto 2
Matchday 2
Palmeiras 2, Al Ahly 0
Inter Miami 1, Porto 2
Matchday 3
Inter Miami 1, Palmeiras 2
Porto 2, Al Ahly 0
Group A is expected to be a tight race. Porto clearly looks like the top contender, and securing wins against either Inter Miami or Palmeiras should ensure their progression. The crucial moment likely comes on Matchday 3 when Inter Miami faces the Brazilian side. Palmeiras` greater experience in these types of tournaments gives them an edge, especially considering Inter Miami`s past difficulties in knockout competitions.
GROUP B
| GROUP B | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atletico Madrid | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 7 |
| PSG | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 7 |
| Botafogo | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 3 |
| Seattle Sounders | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 0 |
Matchday 1
PSG 1, Atletico Madrid 1
Botafogo 2, Seattle Sounders 1
Matchday 2
Seattle Sounders 0, Atletico Madrid 3
PSG 3, Botafogo 1
Matchday 3
Seattle Sounders 1, PSG 3
Atletico Madrid 3, Botafogo 1
Another MLS side faces an early exit. The Seattle Sounders find themselves in an incredibly challenging group alongside European champions PSG and a formidable force in Atletico Madrid. Botofogo is also a talented team, making this group tough for any opponent. The top two teams are separated only by goal difference, setting up an intriguing contest on Matchday 3 to see who can score more.
GROUP C
| GROUP C | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayern Munich | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 7 |
| Benfica | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 7 |
| Boca Juniors | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 1 |
| Auckland City | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 1 |
Matchday 1
Bayern Munich 4, Auckland City 0
Boca Juniors 0, Benfica 2
Matchday 2
Benfica 3, Auckland City 0
Bayern Munich 2, Boca Juniors 0
Matchday 3
Auckland City 0, Boca Juniors 0
Benfica 1, Bayern Munich 1
A recurring pattern might see the top teams in this group drawing their final match, possibly to avoid unnecessary injuries. There`s little strategic benefit in trying to manipulate pairings for the Round of 16, as only strong opponents await. Auckland City, participating as the only amateur team, is predicted to secure a notable result with a draw against Boca Juniors.
GROUP D
| GROUP D | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 7 |
| Flamengo | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 |
| LAFC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 |
| Esperance de Tunis | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
Matchday 1
Chelsea 1, LAFC 0
Flamengo 3, Esperance de Tunis 1
Matchday 2
Flamengo 1, Chelsea 1
LAFC 2, Esperance de Tunis 0
Matchday 3
LAFC 1, Flamengo 1
Esperance de Tunis 0, Chelsea 2
All three MLS representatives are predicted to exit in the group stage, despite their best efforts. LAFC has potential, but Chelsea is the undisputed favorite in this group, and Flamengo is another seasoned team. While a scenario where LAFC reaches the knockout rounds is possible, it`s difficult to bank on it initially, considering their squad depth limitations.
GROUP E
| GROUP E | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inter | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 6 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 5 |
| Monterrey | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 4 |
| River Plate | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 0 |
Matchday 1
River Plate 1, Urawa Red Diamonds 1
Monterrey 1, Inter 2
Matchday 2
Inter 1, Urawa Red Diamonds 2
River Plate 1, Monterrey 3
Matchday 3
Inter 2, River Plate 1
Urawa Red Diamonds 1, Monterrey 1
Group E is quite unpredictable. Inter`s decision to appoint Cristian Chivu as their new manager, potentially due to his lack of experience, could make them vulnerable. This opens the door for teams like Monterrey, led by Sergio Ramos, to potentially cause an upset. However, J. League side Urawa Red Diamonds are predicted to capitalize and advance, relying on a solid defense. While Marcelo Gallardo is back at River Plate, they appear to be some way off their previous peak.
GROUP F
| GROUP F | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borussia Dortmund | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 9 |
| Fluminese | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6 |
| Ulsan HD | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
Matchday 1
Fluminense 1, Borussia Dortmund 2
Ulsan HD 1, Mamelodi Sundowns 1
Matchday 2
Mamelodi Sundowns 0, Borussia Dortmund 3
Fluminense 2, Ulsan HD 1
Matchday 3
Borussia Dortmund 2, Ulsan HD 0
Mamelodi Sundowns 0, Fluminense 1
In a group like this, Borussia Dortmund should comfortably progress, potentially giving playing time to new signing Jobe Bellingham. Another Brazilian club is also expected to reach the knockout phase. While Ulsan and Mamelodi will offer challenges, they are unlikely to prevent Dortmund and Fluminense from advancing.
GROUP G
| GROUP G | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man City | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 0 |
| Juventus | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 0 |
| Al Ain | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
| Wydad | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
Matchday 1
Manchester City 3, Wydad AC 0
Al Ain 0, Juventus 1
Matchday 2
Juventus 2, Wydad AC 0
Manchester City 4, Al Ain 0
Matchday 3
Juventus 1, Manchester City 1
Wydad AC 0, Al Ain 1
Group G appears straightforward. Manchester City and Juventus are clearly the strongest teams, and it would be surprising if either dropped points against the other opponents. Expect their final group match to feature reserve players, as both are predicted to have secured six points already.
GROUP H
| GROUP H | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 9 |
| Al-Hilal | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
| RB Salzburg | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
| Pachuca | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
Matchday 1
Real Madrid 3, Al Hilal 1
Pachuca 1, Salzburg 2
Matchday 2
Real Madrid 3, Pachuca 1
Salzburg 2, Al Hilal 2
Matchday 3
Al-Hilal 2, Pachuca 1
Salzburg 1, Real Madrid 3
While Real Madrid is expected to dominate Group H, the battle for second place between Al Hilal and RB Salzburg could be very close, potentially even coming down to tiebreakers. Al-Hilal`s squad might feel incomplete, having missed out on signing a key striker before the tournament. Salzburg, on the other hand, will aim to make up for a disappointing domestic campaign. Pachuca could potentially complicate things, making the identity of the second qualifier behind Real Madrid uncertain.
Round of 16 Predictions
Porto 0, PSG 1
Bayern Munich 2, Flamengo 0
Atletico Madrid 2, Palmieras 1
Chelsea 2, Benfica 1
Inter 2, Fluminense 1
Manchester City 2, Al-Hilal 0
Real Madrid 2, Juventus 1
Borussia Dortmund 2, Urawa Red Diamonds 0
Much like other major international tournaments, the Round of 16 in the Club World Cup is where the underdog stories often come to an end. Inter might be the most vulnerable of the major teams still in contention, but a favorable draw against Fluminense gives them a good chance to advance. Chelsea and Real Madrid are expected to face tough matches but possess the quality to secure their spots in the quarterfinals, aiming to cap off their seasons successfully.
Quarterfinals Predictions
Inter 1, Manchester City 2
PSG 1, Bayern Munich 3
Atletico Madrid 2, Chelsea 1
Real Madrid 2, Borussia Dortmund 1
PSG`s long season is predicted to conclude here, with Harry Kane likely powering Bayern Munich into the semifinals. Atletico Madrid is also forecasted to deliver a strong performance, with Julian Alvarez potentially showing form reminiscent of his time in England to overcome Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea. The standout tie of this round is a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final, with Manchester City again predicted to defeat Inter.
Semifinals Predictions
Manchester City 2, Bayern Munich 1
Atletico Madrid 1, Real Madrid 0 (After extra time)
A Madrid derby in the CWC semifinals? That would be a thrilling prospect. Xabi Alonso experiences this rivalry as a manager, and the match is expected to go the full 120 minutes, with Atleti eventually narrowly winning to reach the final. They are predicted to be joined by Manchester City, whose manager Pep Guardiola will be aiming to prove that last season`s result was just a blip, not the start of a decline.
Final Prediction
Manchester City 2, Atletico Madrid 1
In what promises to be an exciting final, Manchester City is predicted to emerge victorious. With a squad full of stars and Rodri anchoring the midfield, even the potential departure of Kevin de Bruyne to Napoli is unlikely to derail Guardiola`s side. City possesses a well-balanced and strong squad, which is expected to be sufficient to overcome Atletico Madrid in the final match.
