Club World Cup Round of 16 Predictions – Who Progresses to the Quarterfinals?

• Palmeiras (+135)
• Botafogo (+235)
• Draw (+200)

These two Brazilian teams are very familiar with each other, having played five games since June 2024. Botafogo has won three and drawn two of those five games, and the two recently played a 0-0 draw at Palmeiras in March 2025.

Saturday in Philly:

🇧🇷 Palmeiras vs. Botafogo 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/vi5PEIudsJ

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 24, 2025

Palmeiras has a counterattacking threat, and they stunned Inter Miami with two late goals to earn a draw, which gave them first place in Group A. Botafogo finished second in Group B, but defeated PSG 1-0 in an impressive performance. Igor Jesus has been fantastic for Botafogo, scoring the winner in both matches.

Due to the familiarity between the two, I’m taking Botafogo at +235 at soccer betting sites to win this match. They are on a good streak against Palmeiras and the game should be closer than the odds suggest.

• Chelsea (+110)
• Benfica (+250)
• Draw (+245)

Benfica topped Group C, defeating Bayern Munich 1-0 on the final group-stage day to take the top spot. Ángel Di María is rolling back the years as the 37-year-old is one of three players to have three goals so far.

Chelsea book their spot in the Club World Cup round of 16 where they’ll face Benfica ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/E3QxPkZvqg

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 25, 2025

On paper, Chelsea has the better team. But they haven’t looked like it at the Club World Cup, finishing second in Group D. They were thoroughly outplayed in a 3-1 loss to Flamengo, and Cole Palmer has yet to be at his best. Manager Enzo Maresca has also complained about the heat, saying it is, “impossible to train”.

But everyone has to play in the same heat, and Chelsea hasn’t adapted yet, looking sluggish most of the time. That’s why I’m taking Benfica at +250 to pull off the upset.

If you’ve watched the teams, it won’t be much of a shock if Benfica wins. Led by Argentinean veterans Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi, Benfica is playing with a belief and motivation that I don’t think Chelsea have.

• PSG (-480)
• Inter Miami (+1000)
• Draw (+600)

PSG managed to top Group B despite their loss to Botafogo and were extremely impressive in a 4-0 demolition of Atlético Madrid to open the tournament. It has to be tough for PSG to be motivated after their thrilling Champions League run, but they can win their fifth trophy of the season!

PSG. 🇫🇷
Inter Miami. 🇺🇸#FIFACWC Round of 16. ❤️‍🔥

THE MESSI BOWL. 👀 pic.twitter.com/eE34jin1y8

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) June 24, 2025

Lionel Messi kept his perfect group-stage record intact as Inter Miami finished second in Group A, although a pair of late goals relegated them to this match. Messi played two seasons in Paris, and played under PSG manager Luis Enrique in Barcelona.

I have no doubt that Messi will show up for the game. It’ll be interesting to see if Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets can dig deep and find a throwback performance. But across the board, and especially defensively, PSG is so much better than Inter Miami. If the MLS team wins this match, it’ll rank as one of the biggest wins of Messi’s career.

However, I can’t pick them in my daily Club World Cup best bets. PSG is in my Club World Cup Round of 16 predictions, but at -480, I wouldn’t lay money on it.

• Bayern Munich (-140)
• Flamengo (+360)
• Draw (+300)

Bayern finished second in Group B because of the loss to Benfica, as manager Vincent Kompany also commented on the heat. They beat Auckland City 10-0, but that was to be expected. Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise have both scored three goals for Bayern, but the loss to Benfica was alarming.

🇧🇷 FLAMENGO vs BAYERN MUNICH 🇩🇪

Club World Cup knockout match confirmed! 👀 pic.twitter.com/DMQvMY20Kk

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) June 24, 2025

Flamengo is the third Brazilian side so far to reach the knockouts, topping Group D thanks to their win over Chelsea. They’re solid defensively, and they like to have the ball to get a good shot.

However, Bayern will likely have most of the possession here, and it’s tough to play Flamengo’s style when you’re defending most of the time, especially against a juggernaut like Bayern. I like the Germans here at -140 in my Club World Cup Round of 16 picks, and honestly, I think those odds are a bit of a steal!

• Inter Milan (-130)
• Fluminense (+380)
• Draw (+260)

Inter Milan finished first in Group E, and they still look like there is a bit of malaise from the beating they took from PSG in the Champions League final. They drew Monterrey 1-1 in their opener, and they needed two late goals to beat Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1. Maybe a fiery 2-0 win over River Plate to finish the group will give them a spark.

TEREMOS FLUMINENSE X INTER DE MILÃO NAS OITAVAS DE FINAL DA COPA DO MUNDO DE CLUBES!

🤯 pic.twitter.com/jgPV8p744T

— Futmais | Menino Fut (@futtmais) June 26, 2025

Fluminense came in second in Group F, and managed to hold Borussia Dortmund to a scoreless draw. That was one of two 0–0 results for Fluminense, who are the fourth Brazilian team making it to the knockouts! Their four goals came in a 4-2 win over Ulsan HD.

The Brazilian team looks like a tasty underdog at +380, but I’m going to take Inter Milan at -130! The River Plate game was their best of the tournament. The aggressiveness of River Plate seemed to bring Inter to life, and I think Fluminense will try the same gameplan. I’m banking on the Italians at -130 in my Club World Cup Round of 16 predictions!

• Borussia Dortmund (-130)
• Monterrey (+350)
• Draw (+280)

Borussia Dortmund held off Fluminense to win Group F, continuing a sharp run of form for the German team. Dortmund was outstanding down the stretch in the Bundesliga, claiming the final Champions League spot. Their fortunes changed after replacing manager Nuri Şahin with Niko Kovac, and Dortmund brought that form with them to the United States.

𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐔𝐏: CF Monterrey 🇲🇽#FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/7fNYz9cL7J

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) June 26, 2025

Monterrey claimed second in Group E, and they’re playing a typically scrappy style with Sergio Ramos leading the way. The former Real Madrid defender scored against Inter Milan, and marshals a defense that allowed just one goal in three games.

Dortmund’s defense is gettable, and Ramos has instilled a belief in Monterrey. I’m taking the +350 upset with Monterrey to make it to the quarterfinals in my Club World Cup Round of 16 picks!

• Manchester City (-315)
• Al-Hilal (+725)
• Draw (+460)

Manchester City rolled through Group G with three wins in three games, and their +11 goal difference was the best of the group stage! Their 13 goals have come from eight different players, along with one own goal against Juventus. The defending Club World Cup champions look in fantastic form heading into the group stage.

We will face Al Hilal in the @FIFACWC round of 16 in Orlando’s Camping World Stadium on Tuesday 1 July at 02:00 (UK) 🤝 pic.twitter.com/kiHxpnv5yx

— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 27, 2025

Al-Hilal finished second in Group H, and held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in their opening game. They have several players who have European soccer experience, such as Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. But will it be enough against the City juggernaut?

The Saudi Arabians will put up a good fight, but I think they’re overmatched against Manchester City. The Madrid draw can be put down to it being the opening game, teams were just getting used to the heat, and Real were also without an ill Kylian Mbappé. City are fully healthy, and look motivated to become the first repeat winners at the tournament since Real Madrid in 2016 and 2017 when there were just seven teams.

It won’t be an easy game for City, and I can’t recommend on a wager on them at -315, due to a small return. But I will have the English team in my Club World Cup Round of 16 picks at this stage.

• Real Madrid (-155)
• Juventus (+440)
• Draw (+290)

Real Madrid finished atop Group H, and looked much better after their opening draw against Al-Hilal. Federico Valverde has a pair of goals, as does Gonzalo Garcia, the 21-year-old striker looking to break into the team. As was mentioned, Mbappé has been out with an illness, but new manager Xabi Alonso is “hopeful” he’ll be ready for this match.

In the last 16 of the Club World Cup:

🇪🇸 Real Madrid vs. Juventus 🇮🇹

Heritage. pic.twitter.com/vAZFwRf6xh

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 27, 2025

Juventus finished second in Group G, thumping Al Ain and Wydad AC. But they were on the receiving end of a 5-2 beating from Manchester City in the last game. Juve had no answers for a rampant City, and Pierre Kalulu didn’t help matters with an own goal.

Madrid is rounding into form heading into the knockout stage, and even though their defense can be caught out, they have too much firepower for the Italians. I’m taking Real Madrid at a nice price of -155 to head to the quarterfinals!