Club World Cup betting tips: Flamengo to overturn Chelsea, Real Madrid to brush aside Pachuca

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 action continues across the United States this weekend as Matchday 2 comes to a close and teams begin to consider permutations ahead of the knockout stage.

At times, the Club World Cup has had the atmosphere of a midweek Papa John’s Trophy tie in Grimsby – half the stadiums are empty, the rest are asleep, and the only thing more drained than the fans are the players, most of whom look like they’ve just finished a Tough Mudder in Saudi Arabia.

On the other hand, it has produced some cracking contests, and the next couple of days could see a few more, with the fact that the majority of top players secretly can’t be arsed acting as a good leveller.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer George Dempsey takes a look at three of the biggest clashes and offers a few choice bets.

Chelsea vs Flamengo – Friday 20 June, 8pm BST

The Club World Cup hasn’t exactly captured the imagination, but this one could stir some interest as Flamengo are South America’s best shot at keeping the trophy away from Europe.

It’s not an impossible ask either.

Chelsea were tidy enough in their 2-0 win over LAFC without blowing anyone away. While the Blues controlled large parts of the game, Enzo Fernandez had to seal it late on and it wasn’t exactly a statement.

The Brazilian side looked composed in their opener, brushing aside ES Tunis 2-0. Giorgian De Arrascaeta pulled strings, Luiz Araujo took his chance, and the team looked well-drilled.

They’ll need to play at a higher tempo here, but they’ve got the legs and quality in transition to ask questions.

We also want to consider that former Blues Filipe Luis and Jorginho have quite the motivation to put in a good shift against their former employer.

Chelsea probably edge it on paper, but Flamengo won’t be fazed. They’ll press high, keep the ball when it counts, and make Maresca’s side uncomfortable.

If they’re clinical, we think they might just get something.

However, the odds on the double-chance market aren’t tempting enough, so we’ll be speculative and back a ‘home’ win.

Suggested bet: Flamengo to beat Chelsea at 5/2 with Bet365

READ MORE: Club World Cup news: Complete fixture list including teams, venues and kick-off times

Real Madrid vs Pachuca – Sunday 22 June, 8pm BST

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are unlikely to settle for another pedestrian showing after Xabi Alonso’s first match in charge didn’t exactly ooze control.

A 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal exposed tired legs and awkward connections but also showed glimpses of what’s coming.

Gonzalo García scored, Vinicius threatened, and the shape gradually took on Alonso’s high-intensity imprint, especially in the second half.

Madrid racked up 2.64 xG and will feel they let the win slip, particularly after Valverde’s late penalty miss. They should tighten up with a few days of training.

Pachuca have attacking flair, sure, but they’ve lost three of five and lack the individual quality to hurt Madrid often enough, even with Real’s defensive frailties.

The Spaniards should click into gear here and win with something to spare, although a clean sheet feels a stretch.

Suggested bet: Both teams to score at 9/10 with Bet365

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Seattle Sounders vs Paris Saint-Germain – Monday 23 June, 8pm BST

After two games and two defeats, Seattle are heading out without a point despite playing on home soil, unless something miraculous happens here.

They’ve been competitive, just not clinical enough.

Missed chances have cost them badly and, while the overall performances haven’t been poor, the difference in class has been clear.

Now they face the best team in the tournament and probably the world right now in PSG.

Luis Enrique’s side, for their part, are purring after winning the Champions League and putting four past Atlético Madrid in their opener.

On the other hand, they found a way to lose 1-0 to Botafogo, so they aren’t invincible. That result should spur them on to make sure they finish the job against the Sounders.

Seattle will treat this like a cup final. They’ve shown enough energy and structure to suggest they can keep this respectable, and the home crowd will help.

PSG should win, no question, but the Sounders can certainly make it awkward by frustrating for spells and landing inside a generous handicap line.

Suggested bet: Seattle +2.25 Asian handicap at 4/5 with Bet365

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