Real Madrid vs Al Hilal Prediction: Alonso to get off to a strong start

The Xabi Alonso era at Real Madrid officially begins on Wednesday (20:00 BST, Channel 5) when he takes charge of his first match at the Fifa Club World Cup against Al-Hilal at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida. Los Blancos have won just one trophy so far this season and they will look to end the season on a high by becoming world champions.

Below you will find my Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga and Ferland Mendy have all travelled with Real Madrid to the Club World Cup despite their respective injuries.

All of them are unlikely to be involved in Wednesday's clash, while it remains to be seen whether Antonio Rudiger will be fit after receiving treatment for a meniscus issue in April.

Attacker Endrick is not expected to play in the tournament after he sustained a hamstring injury last month.

Kylian Mbappe has had a strong first campaign for Madrid with 43 goals across 56 appearances in all competitions, despite not winning La Liga or the Uefa Champions League.

The French international is likely to be supported by Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo in the final third, with Jude Bellingham operating just behind them. Debuts could be in store for new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) and Dean Huijsen (AFC Bournemouth).

Real Madrid Club World Cup preview

Al-Hilal Club World Cup preview

Just as a new era is beginning for Real Madrid, the same goes for Al-Hilal. Simone Inzaghi is the new man at the helm after leaving Champions League finalists Inter Milan.

He is expected to implement a similar 3-5-2 system with the Saudi Arabian outfit but it will likely take time for it to be as successful as it was for the Nerazzurri. Kalidou Koulibaly is set to feature in defence, ahead of former Sevilla goalkeeper Bono.

Aleksandar Mitrovic should spearhead the attack after scoring 28 goals in 36 matches in the 2024/25 campaign. Joao Cancelo, the former Manchester City full-back, faces a race against time to be fit for his team's opener in Miami.

Another former Premier League star in Ruben Neves is expected to line up in the middle park, potentially partnered by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal Odds

Real Madrid are the 1/4 favourites to prevail here but you will find better value in combining this market with both teams to score at 7/5, which has an implied probability of 41.7% - and this was a winning selection when the two teams met in the 2022 CWC final.

BTTS on its own is priced at 8/11. The draw is on offer at 11/2 and Al-Hilal are 10/1 to stun Alonso on debut.

Madrid forward Mbappe has scored eight braces this term across all competitions and he is 23/10 to score two or more on Wednesday.

Real Madrid and both teams to score @ 7/5

There is great excitement for the future at Real Madrid with Alonso, a former player of theirs, in charge. He built up his reputation with Bayer Leverkusen over the past few years and many feel that he is the man to lead Los Blancos to dominance in Spain and in Europe.

His first job is to make Madrid world champions and it may seem like a stretch given that his methods will be different from that of his predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti, but he still has a very talented squad at his disposal, especially with the attackers that they have.

Mbappe's goal return this season has been exceptional and he is the joint-favourite to claim the Golden Boot at the Club World Cup this summer.

Al-Hilal have some talented players of their own who can have an impact in this game, particularly as Real Madrid have not been at their best defensively this season.

I do think Madrid's individual quality will be more than enough for them to get off to a winning start, but I fancy their opponents to get on the scoresheet - just like they did in the final of this competition three years ago.

Today's Football Fixtures

Kylian Mbappe first goalscorer @ 9/4

Betfred are confident that Mbappe will score in this contest as he is 1/2 find the net anytime. It's not brilliant when looking for value in the scorer markets and so I am going to back him to score first in Miami.

The France international has been the first man on the scoresheet on 16 occasions this term for Los Blancos, which amounts to 37% of his total haul. Mbappe is undoubtedly Madrid's biggest weapon heading into the Club World Cup and Alonso knows that success will coincide with how the forward is playing.

Mbappe has has been brilliant throughout this campaign, and while there is a chance for fatigue as a long, gruelling season continues, I still think he will score plenty of goals, and I believe he will score the first one in this fixture.

Offers

Wednesday: Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Club World Cup match played on Wednesday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Thursday’s Club World Cup matches.

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

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