Real Madrid vs Al Hilal: Tips, Odds, and Match Preview

In a rematch of the 2023 Club World Cup final, Real Madrid is going head to head with Al Hilal of Riyadh at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The Spanish giants are entering a new chapter with Xabi Alonso at the helm, hoping to secure his first silverware as a Los Blancos head coach.

Al Hilal is entering the game with a new coach at the helm, as well. Simone Inzaghi, who parted ways with UEFA Champions League runners-up Inter Milan, will lead Al Hilal on their first major run of games on the global stage.

New Era for Real Madrid

The duel with Al Hilal marks Xabi Alonso's first official game in one of the hottest dugouts in Europe. The young Spaniard succeeded Carlo Ancelotti after a disappointing season that left Real Madrid without any silverware to show for it.

Los Blancos finished the La Liga campaign four points behind Champions Barcelona, to whom they also lost the 2025 Copa del Rey finals in extra time. In Europe, both UCL quarterfinal legs against Arsenal were a proper trainwreck.

There's been a few changes to the team. Trent Alexander-Arnold has joined from Liverpool while the long-time captain and midfield maestro Luka Modric is on the cusp of leaving. Even with that, Real Madrid is the Wild.io joint-second favourite to win the tour.

Real Madrid Injury & Suspension News

Xabi Alonso will have a few defensive headaches to sort out, with Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal, and Alaba all unavailable. As a result, we'll probably see Alexander-Arnold debuting in the white shirt. Mendy, Camavinga, and Endrick are listed as questionable.

Al Hilal Goes Global

The Saudi club arrives at the new, beefed-up format of the Club World Cup as a Saudi Pro League champion and a squad of proven players from Europe and beyond. Names like Kalidou Koulibaly, João Cancelo, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinković-Savić, or Aleksandar Mitrović will be familiar to anyone who has followed the sport moderately closely in the last three years.

The addition of Simone Inzaghi as the new head coach will bring some much-needed tactical mastery, which helped the Italian lead Inter to two Champions League finals in the UCL in three years. The Riyadh Blues are on a good run of form, as well, having lost only once in their last eight games across all competitions.

Al Hilal Injury & Suspension News

Musab Al-Juwair suffered a knee bruise during the pre-match training and won't feature against Real Madrid. On a more positive note, João Cancelo is back in action after being sidelined for a hamstring injury. Lastly, Brazilian winger Caio Cesar is still a doubt.

Real Madrid vs Al Hilal Prediction

Real Madrid is built for a stage like this. The team needs to make a strong impression, and anything but a comfortable win at the start would be a huge surprise.

Their last and only competitive clash ended with a 5:3 for Los Blancos, and although I can't see them scoring five, I'm backing Real Madrid to win by at least a two-goal margin.

CryptoGamba tip: Real Madrid to win and over 2.5 goals – 1.65 @ Ybets