Egyptian giants Al Ahly take on Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the opening match of the 2025 Club World Cup, writes Sport Preview’s Callum Close.
The Hard Rock Stadium will stage the first clash between clubs from these respective nations since Al Ahly defeated Seattle Sounders 1-0 in the 2022 renewal of this competition.
Both teams will look to hit the ground running with a win in the opening fixture of Group A, which features former European Champions Porto, and Brazilian outfit Palmeiras.
Al Ahly preview and form
The Egyptian side endured a mixed campaign, in which they fell short in their bid to retain their CAF Champions League title.
Despite drawing both legs of the semi-final, a 90th-minute own-goal in the second tie meant that they succumbed to South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns – on away goals.
Subsequently, the club sacked Swiss manager Marcel Koller for the unfortunate elimination.
They saw better fortune domestically, however, winning their next six matches and going on to crown themselves Egyptian Premier League champions for the 45th time.
Inter Miami preview and form
The club – owned by David Beckham – will look to assert their home advantage, as they make the short journey from Fort Lauderdale to compete in their maiden Club World Cup.
The squad packed with big names, not least Messi – perceived by many to be the sport’s greatest ever player – will take a break from their domestic endeavors where they sit third in the MLS (Eastern Conference) league table.
Manager Javier Mascherano’s side have won two of their last five matches, scoring four and five goals in those respective victories.
He boasts a positive record since arriving in Florida, winning 13 from 24 matches – drawing five.
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Betting information
Al Ahly scored the most goals in the Egyptian Premier League last season (52) but with striker Wessam Abou Ali missing on international duty, Riviero will likely look to midfielder Emam Ashour for goals.
He was the league’s top goalscorer (13) and is best priced at 13/5 – with BetMGM – to get on the scoresheet in this fixture.
Ashour will arrive in Miami in top form also, having contributed to eight goals in his team’s previous nine matches.
Live Score Bet have him priced at 27/5 to assist a goal in this match and at 49/20 to have two shots on target – his average is two per game.
The Egyptian side will go into the tie boasting the most robust defence in their domestic division – conceding the lowest number of goals last season – 15.
Despite this, you would fancy Inter’s superior firepower to dismantle that defence at least once – and both teams to score in this fixture is best priced with Bet365, at 8/13.
Inter Miami talisman
It should be no surprise that Messi is the talisman of Miami.
He holds the most goal contributions in the MLS this season (17 G/A) and he currently trades at 5/4 (Live Score Bet) to score anytime.
Messi also averages the most shots on target per match (2.4) and is 9/4 (BetMGM) to have over 2.5 in this fixture.
In terms of the assist market, Luiz Suarez has tallied the joint-most (7) in the MLS this season.
The Uruguayan is best priced at 10/3 to assist a goal on Saturday night, whilst former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba is 13/2 – with Live Score Bet.
Alba has notched four assists so far this season, the third highest in the Inter Miami squad.
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Yellow card market
Other notable betting options include the yellow card market.
Though Al Ahly recorded the lowest number of bookings in their league last season, this is a different calibre of opponent.
Messi is Miami’s second most fouled player, trailing another former Barcelona team-mate Sergio Busquets by 10, having been fouled 22 times this season.
He will likely be up against Mohamed Hany, who is 10/3 to receive a booking.
American midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, 20, is the most-carded player for Inter Miami this season – with four yellows.
He is 11/4 (Bet365) to be cautioned.
The match kicks off at 8pm local time (1:00am GMT) and will be shown live on DAZN UK and on Channel 5.
