A crucial European clash concludes Group H of the Club World Cup on Thursday, as RB Salzburg and Real Madrid face off, both vying for a place in the knockout stage.
Both sides are level on four points heading into the match, two clear of third-placed Al-Hilal. Real Madrid currently holds the top spot based on tiebreakers.
The most straightforward path sees the two European clubs advancing. However, given the tight nature of Group H, if either Salzburg or Real Madrid lose, their progression will depend on already-eliminated Pachuca defeating Al-Hilal.
The Spanish giants are favored by the bookmakers to win the match and secure the group win, as Xabi Alonso`s early tenure continues. His first two matches have been eventful: a sluggish 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal, followed by a 3-1 win over Pachuca after Raul Asencio`s early seventh-minute red card. Asencio is suspended for Thursday`s game, while Kylian Mbappe`s recovery from gastroenteritis remains a key topic of discussion.
Match Information
- Date: Thursday, June 26
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Live stream: Available via streaming services
- Odds: RB Salzburg +750; Draw +490; Real Madrid -370
Group H Qualification Scenarios
Real Madrid advance to the round of 16 with:
- A win or draw against RB Salzburg
- A loss to RB Salzburg AND Al-Hilal drawing or losing to Pachuca
RB Salzburg advance to the round of 16 with:
- A win or draw against Real Madrid
- A loss to Real Madrid AND Al-Hilal losing to Pachuca
Al-Hilal advance to the round of 16 with:
- A win against Pachuca AND Real Madrid losing to RB Salzburg OR RB Salzburg losing to Real Madrid
Pachuca: Eliminated from the competition
Predicted Starting Lineups
RB Salzburg: Christian Zawieschitzky, Stefan Lainer, Joane Gadou, Jacob Rasmussen, Frans Kratzig, Mads Bidstrup, Soumaila Diabate, Nene Dorgeles, Oscar Gloukh, Edmund Baidoo, Karim Onisiwo
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius Junior
Player to Watch
Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid: Even if the attack remains a topic of curiosity, Alonso has maintained consistency in his initial Real Madrid lineups, particularly ensuring Jude Bellingham plays a central role in midfield. He is expected to be influential on Thursday as Los Blancos aim to secure a spot in the round of 16, especially after scoring his first goal under Alonso in the 3-1 win against Pachuca, which helped the team build and defend a lead after an early sending off.
Storyline to Watch
Will Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo play?: Alonso may provide an update late Wednesday on Mbappe`s availability, which has been uncertain since his hospital discharge last week. The World Cup winner didn`t travel for the Pachuca match but has reportedly returned to training. His likelihood of playing on Thursday is unclear.
Regardless of Mbappe`s status, there are still questions about Alonso`s attacking setup. Rodrygo played his first minutes for Real Madrid since the Copa del Rey final in the Al-Hilal draw but didn`t start against Pachuca, reigniting speculation about his role. Whether he returns to the lineup or if academy player Gonzalo Garcia gets another start is a significant point of interest.
Prediction
However Real Madrid lines up under Alonso, they possess the quality to secure a straightforward win against Salzburg, particularly after their pragmatic yet effective performance with 10 men against Pachuca. While it`s premature to expect Alonso`s team to be at their peak, their star-studded attack and overall talent make a relatively comfortable victory probable. Pick: RB Salzburg 1, Real Madrid 2
