Sponsored content, GambleAware, 18+
The opening round of the eagerly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup dominates our thinking this week. The leading teams from across Planet Football battle it out for three early points and the perfect possible start. All 32 clubs from six confederations feature, with a mix of favourites and interesting underdogs.
What are the standout fixtures from the opening round, which online betting offers are available, and what are our expert predictions? The latest article from our experienced football betting content creator, Frank Monkhouse, offers everything you need to enjoy the opening exchanges, all in one place.
Flashscore is the home of up-to-date results, reliable stats, and informed betting predictions.
Al Ahly v Inter Miami, Sunday, 01:00 BST
Egyptian giants Al Ahly qualified for the Club World Cup in March 2023 as champions of the 2021 CAF Champions League. With this being their tenth appearance in the tournament, they bring a wealth of experience on the global stage, something that clearly sets them apart from MLS newcomers like Inter Miami. Their familiarity with high-stakes matches could prove decisive in a clash like this.
Inter Miami comes into the tournament with slightly improved form, two wins and a draw in recent matches, but their overall inconsistency and lack of international experience could be exposed. While they have star power in Lionel Messi, the team around him remains largely untested in global competitions. Facing a seasoned and tactically disciplined side like Al Ahly might be a bigger challenge than it appears on paper.
Tip: Al Ahly win @ 12/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Al Ahly win the match, your bet wins.
PSG v Atletico Madrid, Sunday, 20:00 BST
The main attraction from the opening round of fixtures from Group B pairs PSG and Atlético Madrid. The Parisians blasted their way to a first Champions League title in Spain recently, meaning they head to the United States in high spirits.
Madrid beat PSG in the early rounds of this season's Champions League, but the French side are primed to get their revenge. Everyone connected to PSG will want to show exactly why they're the kings of European football, and I predict a perfect start.
The French Ligue 1 champions have won their last five games in all competitions, scoring 17 goals in the process. That run includes a jaw-dropping 5-0 over Inter Milan in the final.
Bet explanation: If PSG beats Madrid, you get the profits from your bet.
Bayern Munich v Auckland City, Sunday, 17:00 BST
Bayern Munich are one of the biggest names at the party in the United States, and they look set to get off the mark and secure three points in their opener against Auckland City. If Bayern are anywhere near their best, they’ll win well, laying down a marker for the rest of the campaign and firing a warning shot to their rivals.
FCB are unbeaten in their last seven in all competitions. They can make it eight against an opponent who has won only three of their previous 18 games in this tournament. There's no value in backing the 1/100 favourites to win the match, so we visit the first scorer market.
England striker Harry Kane has scored nine goals in his last dozen games for Bayern Munich, and he's worth a bet to score first here.
Tip: Harry Kane to score first @ 2/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Kane scores the first goal of the game, you're a winner.
Chelsea v Los Angeles, Monday, 20:00 BST
We have a glamour tie in the early hours of Monday morning, UK time, when English Premier League side Chelsea play MLS club Los Angeles. LAFC enjoy home comforts and the backing of an American audience, but Chelsea will want to prove they’re good enough to win the game and compete for the title.
The Blues arrive in good shape after winning five of their last six Premier League starts. Chelsea then hammered Real Betis 4-1 to win the Europa Conference League. As you can imagine, Chelsea are hot favourites in the pre-match betting, but the price is better than expected. Chelsea are worth a spot in your Club World Cup accumulators.
When checking the latest betting, I noticed bet365 had boosted the odds on Chelsea to win and both teams to score from 15/8 to 2/1, and that's too good to miss. The same bet was a winner in that famous European final success. You'll get great odds on a repeat performance.
Chelsea win and both score @ 2/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Chelsea beat LA, but the Americans score at least one goal, you profit.
River Plate v Urawa Reds, Tuesday, 20:00 BST
Football fans enjoy an opportunity to see the famous River Plate in action on Tuesday evening, a match you can follow live on DAZN. River Plate open their account against the improving Urawa Reds, but the Argentinian side should have too much experience and class for their opponents from Japan.
River Plate reached the final of the Club World Cup a decade ago. These teams have never met, but River Plate did win each of their previous games against Japanese clubs without conceding a goal. They're 4/7 to get the three points, but we're happy to follow the trends, taking River Plate to win to nil at a fabulous price.
River Plate win to nil @ 6/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need River Plate to win the match without conceding a goal.
Fluminense v Borussia Dortmund, Tuesday, 17:00 BST
German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund have an outside chance of going all the way and winning the title in the United States before a global audience next month. Are they good enough to be named the best team in the world?
Dortmund will want to hit the ground running and build early momentum when facing Fluminense. Goals look likely as both teams fight hard for the win. The Germans arrive in hot form in front of goal, scoring three or more in each of their last six games. That incredible run includes a 3-1 home victory over Barcelona in the Champions League.
Fluminense v Borussia Dortmund could be one of the most exciting games from the opening week. I'm taking the German side and their six-match winning run, but expect their opponents to put up a fight.
Tip: Both score and Dortmund win @ 5/2 (bet365)
Bet explanation: This gamble requires Dortmund to win, but Fluminense to score at least once in the match.
Monterrey v Inter Milan, Wednesday, 02:00 BST
Mexican side Monterrey is no stranger to the Club World Cup, having appeared five times under the previous format. Interestingly, they secured a bronze medal finish in 2012 and 2019. They'll fancy another extended run, but they have a huge task progressing from a group that also houses River Plate and Urawa Reds. A winning start is the dream scenario.
Inter Milan head into only their second Club World Cup, last appearing in 2010. You may remember that the Serie A side won the trophy that year, scoring six goals and conceding none. At this stage, it would take a brave bettor to write them off regaining the crown.
Having suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League final, the pressure is on Milan to show they are over that result and ready to prove it was little more than a bad day at the office. Milan scored two goals in three of their last four games, winning by a 2-0 score away to Torino and Como. Take a chance on Milan getting the points with a 2-0 win.
Tip: Inter Milan 2-0 Monterrey @ 13/2 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If the game ends in a 2-0 win for Inter Milan, you'll secure a handsome profit.
Real Madrid v Al Hilal, Wednesday, 20:00 BST
The big games keep coming in the United States, with European superpower Real Madrid playing Saudi side Al Hilal in Group H. Madrid are the betting favourites to progress to the knockout rounds as pool winners, and many respected pundits rate their chances of going all the way. Will Blancos win the revamped Club World Cup? We'll have a better understanding of their chances after this match.
Interestingly, the Spaniards and Saudis met once before in competitive action, serving up an eight-goal thriller early in 2023. Real Madrid beat Al Hilal 5-3 in the CWC final, and they're good enough to do it again in this fascinating renewal. With the last meeting giving eight goals and Real Madrid scoring a dozen La Liga goals last month, I predict another high-scoring game.
The trading team at bet365 boost the odds of both score and Madrid win from 13/8 to 7/4, and that's good enough for us.
Tip: Both score and Real Madrid win @ 7/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Real Madrid win but they concede at least one goal, your bet's a winner.
Bet £10 and get £30 on the Club World Cup
In addition to offering over 100 pre-match and live betting markets on the FIFA Club World Cup, bet365 serves up a stunning welcome bonus for new customers.
Click any link to the bookmaker on this page, create an account, deposit and bet £10 on a qualifying sportsbook market to land £30 in bet credits. But that’s not the only deal available.
Discover the Best Betting Bonuses
If you’re looking to take advantage of the Club World Cup matches for your bets, Flashscore is here to help. On our betting bonuses page, you’ll find some of the best promotions and bonus codes on the market.
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.