Real Madrid vs Al Hilal – World Club Cup
*Game played in Saudia Arabia
Al-Hilal Summary
Al-Hilal is the first club from Saudi Arabia to reach a Club World Cup final. In order for them to get to this stage it is noted that three of their four goals in this tournament came from the penalty spot. On top of this, the opponent they faced received red cards in both games.
Al-Hilal qualified for the club world cup courtesy of the 2022 AFC Champions League having not yet been concluded.
They are desperate and motivated to become the first Asian club to lift the trophy. The manager Ramón Díaz seems confident of plotting his side to at least make a real game of this, they don’t mind being seen as the big underdog.
They’re currently in a top-five with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, the suspicion is that this tournament and prize money is perhaps more important for them and their pride than it is for Real Madrid,
Salem Al-Dawsari is star man. He was on a brief loan spell at Villarreal but one which wasn’t related to his footballing merit by all accounts. This is as Villarreal received commercial and financial incentives for the loan. Ironically his only appearance came against Real Madrid!
Real Madrid Summary
The Spanish giants have a perfect record in these world club finals, collecting all four of their trophies between 2014 and 2018. Real Madrid won’t say this publicly but they don’t respect this opponent much and expect this winning trend to continue.
Motivation is better than normal for this because it is looking very likely they will not be able to regain the league title in Spain this season.
They were not convincing in beating Egypt’s Al Ahly 4-1 to get to the final, with a brace of goals coming in the 8 minutes of added time.
Real Madrid faces Al Hilal with a big doubt over key men Benzema and Militao, though both men did re-join full training in the final session before the game at the Príncipe Moulay Abdellah de Rabat stadium.
Spanish press expect that Benzema will not be risked from the start and so Rodrygo gets the nod, while Nacho will cover for the Brazilian centre back.
Dealing with the significant certain absence and barring perhaps Benzema, the loss of the sensational Thibaut Courtois could not be bigger for the Spanish giants. Lunin will get the nod for this contest.
Lucas Vasquez, Hazard, and Mendy also remain out.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first.
The overwhelming favourite for this game is Real Madrid @ 1.27. AL Hilal is @ 9.50 and the draw is @ 6.00.
Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. Madrid gives away -1.75 @ 1.97 and so the punters would need a three-goal victory or more for the Spanish for a full win. A two-goal margin pays out as half win. Al Hilal +1.75 is @ 1.860. It is very difficult to touch this considering the unknown quantity of opponents and the motivation factor being in doubt.
Looking at The Under/Over goal line last of all. Over 3 is @ 1.78 while the Under is @ 2.02. As above section, also an easy market to walk away from.
