Mexican side Pachuca face Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg in Group H. Our football expert and Flashscore contributor Frank Monkhouse gives his analysis and predictions for Wednesday night’s game, which kicks off at midnight Italian time.
Betting tips Pachuca – RB Salzburg, Wednesday 18 June at 00:00
Pachuca to win – priced at 2.88 on bet365, 2.80 on and 2.80 on GoldBet
Both teams to score – odds 1.80 on bet365, 1.75 on and 1.75 on GoldBet
Both teams to score and Pachuca to win – odds 6.00 on bet365, 5.50 on and 5.00 on GoldBet
Odds courtesy of bet365, Planetwin365 and GoldBet. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
A busy Wednesday for football (with Juventus making their debut)
Wednesday offers football fans another busy day in the United States, with four Club World Cup matches scheduled between late afternoon and night (Italian time). This is a great opportunity for bettors, with lots of ideas to follow and interesting markets to explore.
In this article, we focus on the match at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, where Liga MX representatives Pachuca take on Austrian Bundesliga runners-up Red Bull Salzburg. It promises to be an evenly matched contest, with valuable points at stake in the race for qualification. Many experts believe that Real Madrid will finish top of the group, which makes this match crucial for the second spot in the knockout stages.
Who will get off to the right start? The odds from bet365, Planetwin365, and GoldBet give the Austrians a slight advantage, but there are always surprises in football. Will Pachuca be able to overturn the predictions? Below are our predictions for the first round of the competition.
The Gophers are banking on experience
Those who follow the Club World Cup are well aware of Pachuca’s strengths and weaknesses. The Mexican team, nicknamed the “Gophers,” is making its sixth appearance in the competition and aims to make the most of its experience to tackle the new format. Their best finish so far has been third place: will they be able to surpass themselves this summer?
The Hidalgo club earned its place in the tournament thanks to its success in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, beating Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew in the final to claim its sixth continental title. This confirmed its status as a leading force in the region, with the ambition now to prove its worth against top European opponents.
The experience gained in previous editions could prove to be a key factor. Pachuca looks like a credible candidate and can count on strong support from the stands. Considering the odds offered by the bookmakers, starting with a win could be an interesting bet.
Tip: Pachuca to win – odds 2.88 on bet365, 2.80 on and 2.80 on GoldBet
Explanation of the bet: if Pachuca beats RB Salzburg, the bet wins.
Salzburg ready to seize the opportunity
RB Salzburg is participating in the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time, qualifying as the ninth team in the UEFA rankings for the four-year period. The Austrians, fresh from finishing second in the Bundesliga behind Sturm Graz, want to prove they can compete at the highest level. Will they be up to the task or will the jump be too big?
Despite failing to win the national title, the Red Bulls ended the season on a high note, with two wins in their last two games: 2-1 away against Blau Weiss Linz and 4-2 at home against Rapid Vienna. They have had almost a month to prepare for this event, so they should be in good physical and mental condition.
Looking at the numbers, Salzburg has scored 11 goals in its last five games: an encouraging statistic for those looking at the betting market. However, it has also conceded nine goals in the same period. It is likely to find the back of the net, but it is unlikely to keep a clean sheet.
Tip: Both teams to score – odds of 1.80 at bet365, 1.75 at and 1.75 at GoldBet
Explanation of the bet: if both teams score at least once, the bet wins.
Take advantage of the improved odds
After identifying our two main bets – a Pachuca win and both teams to score – we can combine the two options into a potentially very profitable bet.
Scrolling through the pre-match odds, we noticed that bet365 has raised the odds for “Pachuca to win + both teams to score” from 5.50 to 6.00, making it even more attractive. Goals seem likely in this match, with both teams determined to get off on the right foot. Considering that Real Madrid and Al Hilal are also in Group H, this match represents the best opportunity to pick up three points.
An interesting price, perfect for those who want to follow every attack with bated breath. We can also choose to keep the stake low and enjoy the show, betting on a Pachuca win and at least one goal from Salzburg, who have already shown they can strike regularly.
Tip: Pachuca to win and both teams to score – odds of 6.00 at bet365, 5.50 at Planetwin365 and 5.00 at GoldBet
Explanation of the bet: if Pachuca wins the match and RB Salzburg scores at least one goal, the bet is a winner.
Players to watch
Here are some key players to watch in Wednesday’s clash in Cincinnati:
Oscar Gloukh – RB Salzburg
Salomon Rondon – Pachuca
Nene Dorgeles – RB Salzburg
John Kennedy – Pachuca
Pachuca – RB Salzburg odds
Pachuca to win – 2.88 on bet365, 2.80 on and 2.80 on GoldBet
Draw – 3.40 on bet365, 3.35 on and 3.40 on GoldBet
Salzburg to win – odds of 2.40 on bet365, 2.35 on and 2.40 on GoldBet
