The FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals began last night, and tonight the last spot in the CWC Final will be decided as European powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid face off in a highly anticipated showdown.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid
Wednesday 9 July, 20:00
MetLife Stadium
Ahead of the Club World Cup, many expected newly-crowned UEFA Champions League winners PSG and the legendary Real Madrid to be the front-runners to claim the prestigious trophy, and that outcome has become increasingly possible as every round passed.
PSG have arguably been the best performing side at the tournament thus far, booking their place in the semi-finals by finishing top of Group B (after beating Atletico Madrid 4-0 and Seattle Sounders 2-0 while losing 1-0 to Botafogo), followed by beating Inter Miami 4-0 in the last 16 and Bayern Munich 2-0 in the quarter-finals.
The Parisians have continued their excellence from the 5-0 victory in the Champions League Final, as they have conceded just once while also scoring an impressive 12 times in their five fixtures.
Now just one step away from the final and edging closer to adding the Club World Cup to their trophy cabinet, they will first face up against the European titans Real Madrid.
Los Blancos started their tournament with a 1-1 draw with Al Hilal before beating Pachuca (3-1) and RB Salzburg (3-0) to finish top of Group H, and they have since defeated Juventus 1-0 in the last 16 and Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the quarter-finals.
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While Real Madrid have often looked defensively vulnerable at the competition, Xabi Alonso’s side have gradually improved throughout the competition as they become accustomed to the new manager’s tactical approach and style of play.
These two sides have not met since their Champions League round of 16 clash in 2021/22, when PSG won the first leg 1-0 before losing 3-1 in the second leg as Real Madrid ultimately advanced.
Team News
Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez are both suspended for this semi-final after the defensive duo both received red cards in an action-packed final 10 minutes of their 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
Lucas Beraldo is likely to partner captain Marquinhos in their absence, while Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes will continue their roles from the full-back positions.
Ousmane Dembele is yet to start in the Club World Cup after sustaining a slight injury heading into the competition, but the forward could be in line for his first start here, especially after scoring the vital second goal in their recent win.
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As for Real Madrid, Dean Huijsen is suspended after receiving a red card in the 96th-minute of their 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund, meaning Raul Asencio could partner Antonio Rudiger in central defence, while Aurelien Tchouameni continues his new-found role of dropping into a back three.
Kylian Mbappe may be returning to action after a period of illness, including scoring a superb goal in Real Madrid’s quarter-final victory, but Gonzalo Garcia has been one of the top performers of the Club World Cup – with four goals and one assist – and the homegrown talent should start this one.
Paris Saint-Germain Predicted XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois; Rudiger, Tchouameni, Asencio; Alexander-Arnold, Valverde, Guler, Garcia; Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Garcia
Bet9ja Tips
Paris Saint-Germain have excelled this year, with their Champions League triumph and a string of sensational performances at the Club World Cup – including beating Atletico Madrid 4-0 – and while Real Madrid are a formidable opponent, they have shown signs of weakness in this competition, leading us to expect a PSG win.
Both teams are among the top scorers in the competition as PSG have scored 12 and Real Madrid have managed 11 – only Bayern Munich and Manchester City (16) have scored more – and we believe there will be plenty of goals scored in this encounter.
A large reason for Real Madrid’s attacking record has been the brilliance of 21-year-old Garcia, who has scored four goals in five starts – including goals in all of his last three matches – and we believe the striker’s superb record will continue with another goal here. You can get odds for this to happen of 3.25.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing, 90 minutes only): PSG to win: 2.38, Draw: 3.60, Real Madrid to win: 2.90
Booking Codes:
PSG to win in 90 minutes, 2.40: 36NHV38 – Book Here
Over 2.5 goals in 90 minutes, 1.56: 36NHWBW – Book Here
Gonzalo Garcia & Desire Doue to score anytime in 90 minutes, 13.81: 36NJ2RV – Book Here
