Xabi Alonso`s Real Madrid is set to face Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup this Saturday. These two prominent European clubs have met on numerous occasions, most recently in the 2024 Champions League final at Wembley, where Carlo Ancelotti`s Real Madrid emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline against the German side. Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham will not be available to play against his brother Jobe, who joined Dortmund this summer, as Jude received a yellow card in the previous match against Monterrey, resulting in a suspension. Below is information regarding the match:
Match Information
Date: Saturday, July 5
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey
Odds: Real Madrid -190; Draw +330; BVB +430
Possible Lineups
Real Madrid XI: Thibaut Courtois; Antonio Rudiger, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dean Huijsen; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fede Valverde, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Fran Garcia; Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe
BVB XI: Gregor Kobel; Niklas Suele, Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini, Julian Ryerson, Felix Nmecha, Pascal Gross, Daniel Svensson, Marcel Sabitzer, Karim Adeyemi, Serhou Guirassy
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid — The French superstar made his first appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup in the last match against Juventus, following his return from gastroenteritis. He is anticipated to start on Saturday. All eyes will be on La Liga`s top scorer from the past season, as this summer tournament represents the final opportunity for Xabi Alonso`s squad to clinch a trophy before the new season begins in August.
Storyline to Watch
Is Xabi Alonso already making his mark? The Spanish manager appears to have quickly fostered a positive environment at the club, stepping into the role after the highly successful Carlo Ancelotti. Alonso has promptly introduced his tactical concepts, but the key question is whether he can successfully instill the winning mentality that was a hallmark of Ancelotti`s tenure.
Prediction
Real Madrid is projected to advance to the semifinal, where they would potentially face either Bayern Munich or PSG, with expectations set for a top-four finish in the Club World Cup.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2, BVB 0
