RB Salzburg and Real Madrid go head-to-head, with the two teams level at the top of Group H with four points each at the FIFA Club World Cup. The game will take place at the Lincoln Financial Field Stadium in Philadelphia on 27th June at 02:00 GMT.
Alonso’s side, bolstered by new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, are overwhelming favourites to win Group H, with their star-studded lineup firing on all cylinders. However, their last game against Pachuca was marred by an alleged racist remark against defender Antonio Rüdiger by Pachuca’s Gustavo Cabral, with the referee making a cross sign indicating a racist incident on the pitch.
RB Salzburg, the Austrian underdogs, secured their Club World Cup spot via UEFA’s ranking pathway but face a daunting task against Real Madrid. As can be seen on our latest football facts, head coach Thomas Letsch has guided Salzburg to an unbeaten run of five matches in the Austrian Bundesliga, scoring 12 goals. Still, their away form in high-stakes competitions is less convincing, with only one win in their last six road games across all competitions. Key playmaker Oscar Gloukh will need to shine for the Austrian side if they’re to pose any real attacking threat against a really strong Real Madrid side.
RB Salzburg FIFA Club World Cup form:
- Pachuca: 2-1 (W) 18/06/2025
- Al Hilal: 0-0 (D) 22/06/2025
RB Salzburg form (all competitions):
• W (H) 4-2 against Rapid Vienna (Bundesliga) 24/05/25
• W (A) 2-1 against Blau Weiss Linz (Bundesliga) 18/05/25
• L (A) 4-2 against Sturm Graz (Bundesliga) 09/05/25
• W (H) 2-0 against Austria Vienna (Bundesliga) 04/05/25
• L (A) 2-1 against Wolfsberger AC (Bundesliga) 27/04/25
Real Madrid FIFA Club World Cup form:
- Al Hilal: 1-1 (D) 18/06/2025
- Pachuca: 3-1 (W) 22/06/2025
Real Madrid form (all competitions):
• W (H) 2-0 against Real Sociedad (La Liga) 24/05/25
• W (A) 2-0 against Sevilla (La Liga) 18/05/25
• W (H) 2-1 against Real Mallorca (La Liga) 14/05/25
• L (A) 4-3 against Barcelona (La Liga) 11/05/25
• W ( H) 3-2 against Celta Vigo (La Liga) 04/05/25
Team News
Real Madrid are likely to field a strong XI, with Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo Garcia and Rodrygo likely to start in attack. Trent Alexander-Arnold will start at right-back, while Aurélien Tchouaméni may anchor the midfield with Federico Valverde, alongside Jude Bellingham, who will likely push into more advanced positions.
Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger are set to form the central defensive partnership, with Thibaut Courtois in goal. Luka Modrić and Lucas Vázquez, whose contracts expire post-tournament, are unlikely to feature prominently.
As for RB Salzburg, midfielders Oscar Gloukh and Mads Bidstrup are expected to provide creativity and energy, while Jacob Rasmussen and Joane Gadou may anchor the defence. Young goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky will need to be at his best to keep Real Madrid’s attack at bay.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Huijsen, Rüdiger, F. Garcia; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bellingham; Vinícius Júnior, G. Garcia, Rodrygo
RB Salzburg possible starting lineup:
Zawieschitzky; Katzig, Rasmussen, Gadou, Lainer; Gloukh, Bidstrup, Diabate, Nene; Baidoo, Oniswo
We Say: Real Madrid 3-0 RB Salzburg
RB Salzburg may struggle to penetrate Real Madrid’s defence, and we expect a comfortable victory for the Spanish side to seal their group stage campaign.
