South American side Boca Juniors take on Benfica in the first round of Group C of the 2025 Club World Cup. With our football expert Frank Monkhouse, we analyze the key points of the match scheduled at Hard Rock Stadium, with a focus on the best betting tips, updated odds, and players to watch.
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The highly anticipated clash between two historic clubs will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with kick-off scheduled for 12:00 a.m. ET. Both teams are aware of the importance of this match: a win would mean staying in the wake of Bayern Munich, the group’s big favorite, and moving closer to qualifying for the knockout stage.

Boca Juniors, a true symbol of South American football, will seek to express their full offensive potential and test their solidity against Benfica. The Portuguese club comes into the tournament with a long European tradition and a well-known tactical organization.

Boca Juniors – Benfica, Monday, June 16, 12:00 a.m.

Betting tips Boca Juniors – Benfica

Benfica to win – odds 1.75 on bet365, 1.70 on and 1.70 on GoldBet

Over 2.5 goals – odds 1.95 on Bet365 and 1.85 on

Benfica to win

This match marks the first official meeting between Boca Juniors and Benfica, as well as the first ever clash between an Argentine and a Portuguese club in the history of the FIFA Club World Cup.

In the previous format of the tournament, European teams often had the upper hand in matches against South American clubs: all four matches between Argentine teams and European representatives ended in European victories. Among the most notable examples are Milan’s 4-2 win over Boca in 2007 and Barcelona’s 3-0 win over River Plate in 2015.

Benfica comes into this match on the back of a brilliant 2024/25 season in the Primeira Liga: 84 goals scored (second only to Sporting), the best conversion rate (14.7%) and the highest expected goals value (79.9), confirming the team’s attacking prowess.

Boca Juniors qualified as the second-best eligible team in CONMEBOL’s four-year ranking. Their style of play is based on possession, but recent results show some fragility, as demonstrated by their narrow defeat against Independiente (0-1), in which the team struggled to both create and convert chances.

Given Benfica’s accuracy in front of goal, the quality of its midfield and the historical dominance of European clubs in this competition, the odds of 1.75 for a Portuguese victory seem more than justified.

Benfica to win – odds of 1.75 on bet365, 1.70 on and 1.70 on GoldBet

Explanation of the bet: if Benfica wins, regardless of the result, this bet is a winner.

Attack in the spotlight: lots of goals expected

Twelve of Benfica’s last 15 games have featured three or more goals, and Boca Juniors have shown attacking potential despite some defensive shortcomings.

With an open game, the odds for both teams to score are 1.95 at bet365 and 1.85 at Planetwin, which looks interesting. Boca Juniors have quality strikers such as Edinson Cavani and Miguel Merentiel, while Benfica have scored in 29 of their last 30 games.

Benfica’s attacking threat is led by Vangelis Pavlidis, who has scored 19 goals and provided seven assists, and creative midfielder Orkun Kökçü, who has led the league with 76 chances created and has been involved in 14 goals.

European teams have dominated South American sides in FIFA Club World Cup encounters, often producing high-scoring games, and it is likely that there will be another goal fest.

Tip: Over 2.5 goals – priced at 1.95 on bet365, 1.85 on , not available on GoldBet

Bet explanation: With at least three goals from both teams, this bet is a winner.

Pavlidis is ready to give his best

Pavlidis has been in sensational form throughout the 2024/25 season, playing 34 games and scoring 19 goals and providing 7 assists in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

He averages 2.56 shots per 90 minutes, which places him in the 97th percentile for shots taken in the league, and boasts an impressive 58% shooting accuracy. His shot conversion rate is over 30%, meaning he scores approximately once every 3.3 shots.

The Greek striker’s ability to find himself in scoring positions is supported by his high number of shots on target (36 out of 62 total shots) and the support of creative players such as Kökçü, who led the league with 76 chances created.

Pavlidis’ ability to take multiple shots per game makes the odds of 1/4 on three or more shots a very attractive and justified bet.

Tip: Pavlidis to take at least three shots – odds 2.05 on Bet365, not available on Planetwin365 and GoldBet

Bet explanation: If Pavlidis takes at least three shots in the match between Benfica and Boca Juniors, this bet wins.

Boca Juniors – Benfica odds

Boca Juniors to win – odds of 4.50 on bet365, 4.35 on and 4.50 on GoldBet

Draw – odds of 3.70 on bet365, 3.70 on and 3.80 on GoldBet

Benfica to win – odds of 1.75 on bet365, 1.70 on and 1.70 on GoldBet

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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