The FIFA Club World Cup has begun, and a compelling mix of skill and drama continues to be on show.
With reputations on the line and the opportunity to be crowned as the world’s best, each and every match carries that added significance
Here, Sport Preview’s Ethan Pitts tips up three selections for this week’s early round of fixtures, as teams aim to lay a marker down.
Chelsea to have over 6.5 shots on target – 5/6
Chelsea have become a fixture at the top of both English and European football for the best part of three decades.
Backed by notable investment, Stamford Bridge plays host to some of World Soccer’s largest names and emerging talent.
The Blues take on Los Angeles FC in their opening Club World Cup game – in what should be a convincing win.
Chelsea have an abundance of attacking talent who are all battling it out to force Enzo Maresca’s hand going into the 2025/2026 Premier League campaign.
Therefore, I can see Chelsea having a considerable amount of shots on goal against a far less formidable side.
Maresca’s side come into this game with an eye for goal, having coming off a UEFA Conference League Final win over Real Betis where they accumulated seven shots-on-target.
Franco Mastantuono to score anytime – 49/20
Touted as the ‘New Messi’, Franco Mastantuono aims to write a new chapter of an already illustrious start to his young career.
Seen as one of the most propitious talents coming out of South America, Mastantuono has recently committed his future as a Real Madrid player for a fee of $45million.
However, for this tournament he remains a River Plate player as he aims to lead the Argentine side to success.
Mastantuono comes into this tournament with both renown and form – scoring four goals in his last seven games for his club.
The Club World Cup gives Mastantuono a chance to show the world his limitless ability, as he aims to provide a parting gift to the “Los Millonarios” faithful.
Borussia Dortmund to score over 2.5 goals – 7/4
Borussia Dortmund have been a staple within European football for a number of years, known for balancing domestic ambition with a reputation for developing some of the game’s most prodigious talents.
Now, the Bundesliga side seem to be hitting their stride once again, this time under the former Croatia captain, Niko Kovac.
“BVB” come into this tournament in exemplary form – winning their last six games in all competitions.
Anchoring this statistic is their remarkable goalscoring record. Dortmund have scored three or more goals in all of these six games, which makes these odds impossible to pass up on considering they also come into this game as the distinct favourites.
Last year’s Champions League finalists aim to go one better in the Club World Cup, and a statement win would give them the confidence to do so.
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