Real Madrid vs Al Hilal Betting Tips, Prediction, Odds
The FIFA Club World Cup final will see reigning UEFA Champions League winner Real Madrid play the AFC Champions League winner Al Hilal Riyadh on Saturday in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Real Madrid limped into the FIFA Club World Cup following a 1-0 defeat to Mallorca in La Liga. Manager Carlo Ancelotti also went to Morocco with several players unable to take part due to injuries. However, Real Madrid still defeated Egypt’s Al Ahly in the semifinals 4-1. Vinicius Jr led the way with the game’s opening goal and Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, and Sergio Arribas added scoring.
Al Hilal Riyadh shocked the South American qualifier for the FIFA Club World Cup, Flamengo. The reigning Copa Libertadores winner was beaten in the semifinals 3-2. The score made the match look slightly closer than it was, as Flamengo trailed 3-1 in the 90th minute.
The two clubs have never met before. Real Madrid are seeking their fifth FIFA Club World Cup. Al Hilal Riyadh are aiming to upset the heavy favourites and achieve something no other team outside Europe or South America has, and that is to win the FIFA Club World Cup.
Sportsbooks have Real Madrid as the favourites to win the fixture at odds of 3/10. Al Hilal Riyadh are the underdog at odds of 8/1. Bookmakers have the teams at odds of 9/2 to draw at full-time.
Real Madrid vs Al Hilal Team News
Ancelotti has injury issues and will pick his team accordingly. The manager is preparing for a last-16 Champions League tie against Liverpool in two weeks. Ancelotti is trying to get several first-choice players fit, which means those individuals are likely to miss the game.
Karim Benzema is no longer listed on the Madrid injured list but it is unlikely Ancelotti will risk the striker. Benzema is too important for Madrid in the Champions League last 16. H has been battling a hamstring strain all season.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is sidelined with a thigh muscle strain. Forward Eden Hazard is also out of action following a leg muscle injury. Defender Eder Militao is ruled out of action until March with a groin strain. Benzema could be nearing fitness but wasn’t expected back to playing until the Champions League last 16 first leg versus Liverpool.
Full-back Ferland Mendy has a hamstring injury and midfielder Lucas Vazquez has a sprained ankle. Neither player will play on Saturday.
Al Hilal left-back Yasser Al-Shahrani is expected to miss the game with a broken jaw. English football fans will recognise some of the names in the Al Hilal Riyadh team. Forward Matheus Pereira used to play for West Brom. Ex-Man United striker Odion Ighalo is the team’s leading scorer with eight goals. Forward Fulham forward Luciano Vietto also plays for Riyadh.
Real Madrid vs Al Hilal H2H
Real Madrid and Al Hilal Riyadh have never played a competitive match before. Saturday's game in Rabat will be their first-ever meeting. Real Madrid went to Morocco in poor form. They had won only one of their last four games in domestic competitions and lost 1-0 to Mallorca before embarking on the journey to North Africa.
Los Blancos’ form problems did seem to be an issue against Al Ahly, as they won 4-1. The semifinal shows the gulf in class between top-level European clubs and teams from other parts of the world. A team like Real Madrid can go to the FIFA Club World Cup in poor form, yet walk away with a win and be barely troubled.
Real Madrid vs Al Hilal Betting Tips
No team outside of Europe or South America has won the FIFA Club World Cup. It is unlikely that a team from outside UEFA or CONMEBOL will win the tournament this season. Madrid are a four-time winner of the Club World Cup and will likely make it five trophies at FIFA’s glamour tournament.
Madrid are heavy favourites to win at odds of 3/10. Riyadh are surprisingly 8/1 to defeat Real Madrid in 90 minutes. Al Hilal’s odds to win seem low. Madrid flexed their muscle in the semifinals winning 4-1. The final match is at odds of 4/7 to finish with over 2.5 goals.
Real Madrid halftime/Real Madrid full-time odds are at 10/11. While a halftime draw/full-time Madrid win is at odds of 3/1. There is value in the draw/Real Madrid win. Can Al Hilal pick up a first-half draw against the reigning European champions?
Vinicius is in great form and goes into the final at odds of 7/5 to score anytime. Al Hilal’s defence should struggle to slow down the speedy Brazilian. Vinicius scored Madrid’s opening goal versus Al Ahly. He is at odds of 11/2 to score the first goal of the match. Vinicius has 14 goals in 32 games in all competitions. With Benzema out of action, the Brazilian’s role in the front three becomes even more important.
Real Madrid vs Al Hilal Prediction
Real Madrid should have little difficulty picking up a win at full-time and lifting a fifth FIFA Club World Cup trophy. The last three finals at the tournament were close, with just one goal separating the two teams. This time around, Real Madrid should put some distance between themselves and Al Hilal.
The Saudi Arabian team wasn’t expected to reach the final. They shocked Brazil’s Flamengo in the semifinals. Flamengo may have taken Al Hilal too lightly. It helped the Riyadh club that their season is in progress while Flamengo have not started Brazil’s Serie A yet.
Madrid can use the Club World Cup to reignite their form for the Champions League. Los Blancos should win with ease to claim the tournament’s trophy. Madrid’s last two appearances in the FIFA Club World Cup final saw them score four goals on both occasions. Our betting tips prediction is for Madrid to win by two or more goals. Los Blancos could finish the final with a 4-1 win. A 4-1 Real Madrid win currently fetches odds of 16/1.
