Real Madrid Favored Against RB Salzburg Despite Fragile Defense: Club World Cup Predictions

• June 27, 2025
• Ethan Carrington
• 0 Comments

Real Madrid Heavy Favorites, But the Defense Looks Shaky

Forget subtlety—bookmakers have made their call: Real Madrid are clear front-runners in their Club World Cup tie with RB Salzburg. The odds? A win for Los Blancos sits at 3/10, translating to a hefty 76.9% chance of victory. But this isn’t the same old, steady Madrid defense; there have been noticeable changes, and not everyone is convinced Carlo Ancelotti’s backline will have a smooth ride.

Madrid’s defense is sporting a new look, with Antonio Rüdiger marshalling things at the back alongside recent signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen. While Rüdiger brings experience, Alexander-Arnold is still adjusting to life at Madrid and Huijsen is more promise than polish at this point. That means there are real questions about whether Madrid can keep it tight at the back, even as favorites.

Mbappé’s Return and Valverde’s Impact—A Recipe for Goals

The big story for Madrid is the potential return of Kylian Mbappé from a recent illness. The French superstar has already racked up 42 goals this season, plus a staggering 12 in just eight straight matches. If he’s good to go, that’s a lethal weapon back in the squad—one defenders around the world would rather not see suiting up.

Federico Valverde has quietly been Madrid’s spark plug, frequently joining attacks and often supplying the final pass or shot. When you see betting markets locking in Valverde to register a shot on target, it’s no accident. He’s found space against tough teams all season and rarely looks overawed by big stages like this one.

Madrid’s attack, loaded with options, has proved relentless—scoring in 12 consecutive matches. Even on their off days, it’s tough to see them being held scoreless by this Salzburg side.

But there’s a flip side: Salzburg have made a habit of scoring even when they’re losing. Every time they’ve suffered a defeat this year, they’ve still found the net. This trend—both teams scoring even in defeat—makes the prospect of a high-scoring affair pretty real.

• Real Madrid are not just expected to win; they’re expected to win with goals on both sides.
• Valverde is a reliable bet to get into dangerous shooting positions.
• Salzburg know only a victory can get them through, so expect attacking football—not sitting back for a draw.

The predicted scoreline? Madrid’s firepower edges it: 3-1 in favor of the Spanish giants. Salzburg’s ambition may leave their defense wide open, especially with gaps for Mbappé and Valverde to exploit. The one thing you can count on here is entertainment—no 0-0 draw in sight for this one. Expect an open game, with plenty of action at both ends and Madrid’s big names proving the difference.