Source: Alamy Stock Photo
The FIFA Club World Cup is just around the corner and we have picked out some bets to consider for the tournament.
FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup hasn’t been universally welcomed, but it promises to throw together some interesting clashes between teams from all corners of the globe.
Paris Saint-Germain enter as Champions League winners, but they aren’t seen as the team to beat.
The aura of Real Madrid makes the Spanish giants favourites, but there are some interesting ways to oppose them.
Selections
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Atletico Madrid to win outright – 14/1
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Winning Group – Group B – 9/2
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Borussia Dortmund to reach semi-final – 5/1
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Palmeiras to win Group A – 15/8
Simeone’s solid side can make a run
The expanded version of this tournament for continental champions includes some sides who haven’t achieved that honour, including Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone’s consistent performers beat Barcelona to a place in this competition thanks to their recent displays in the Champions League.
Atletico were eliminated from Europe under controversial circumstances this term, when VAR struck off Julian Alvarez’s penalty in the shootout against Real Madrid. They looked to have their neighbour’s number, arguably outperforming Real over the two legs.
Atletico’s real issue this term was Barcelona. They exited the cup to the Catalans, while their title hopes fell apart when they surrendered a 2-0 lead at home to Hansi Flick’s side in a 4-2 defeat.
However, things look to be breaking right for Atletico, as they were able to ease to the end of the domestic campaign. Their group B clash with PSG could be tricky, but it does ensure they’ll be on the opposite side of the bracket to the European champions.
After a draining 2024/25 campaign, free-flowing football could be tough to produce in the US summer sun. Atletico have difference-making attacking players, but they have that solid base built by Simeone and they appear well-placed for a deep run.
You can also get good value on the eventual winner coming from Group B, which is a great price which could end with Atletico and PSG reuniting in the final in New Jersey in July.
Dortmund’s late flourish can carry into summer
A run of five successive victories put Borussia Dortmund back into the Champions League spots, following a disappointing Bundesliga campaign.
The German side were Champions League quarter-finalists, but they were off the top-four pace in the league thanks to a disjointed campaign.
Dortmund clicked late in the campaign under Niko Kovac, scoring 26 times across their final eight matches, securing 22 points. They won 4-2 at Bayer Leverkusen in their penultimate game, proving themselves in a difficult trip.
Dortmund’s good form makes them an interesting option here, especially given the tournament draw. BVB’s group opponents are Brazilian side Fluminense, South Korean side Ulsan HD, and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.
Their toughest opponents are Fluminense, who sit fifth in the Brazilian top flight. The Bundesliga side should be able to top Group F, which would set up a meeting with Argentina’s River Plate, Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, or Mexican side Monterrey in the next round.
Given that they aren’t set to face a European side until the last eight, their price to make the quarter-finals holds a lot of appeal. They’re likely to meet Real Madrid in the last eight, with the Spanish giants holding fitness concerns over key man Jude Bellingham.
After thumping Xabi Alonso 4-2 in May, Dortmund are a tempting chance to make the semis.
Porto could be UEFA’s weak-link
European sides are expected to dominate this competition, but Porto look particularly vulnerable. The favourites in Group A finished a distant third in Portugal. The Dragons finished 18th in the Europa League’s League Phase, before exiting in the first knockout round.
Chelsea-bound wonderkid Willian Estevao is departing Palmeiras after this tournament and his side could cause problems in Group A.
Inter Miami are enduring an underwhelming MLS campaign, while Porto appear vulnerable.
Palmeiras won seven of their first nine league games, before a late pre-tournament wobble. Back them to spring a surprise in Group A and top the standings.
