Pachuca vs Salzburg Prediction – 2025 FIFA Club World Cup On June 18, 2025
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup continues on Wednesday, June 18th, and SpookyExpress.com turns its attention to the intriguing Group H encounter between Mexican side Pachuca and Austrian contenders RB Salzburg.
Set to take place at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium – more commonly associated with tennis than elite football – this clash pits two teams with something to prove on the global stage.
Pachuca – Regional Champions Eyeing a Statement Start
Fresh off their 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup triumph last June (their sixth title), Pachuca enter this expanded Club World Cup as North America’s most accomplished representatives. While Jaime Lozano’s men struggled for consistency in Liga MX throughout the 2024-25 season – finishing 16th in the Apertura and only scraping into the Clausura play-in round (reaching the quarter-finals) – they’ve shown glimpses of resurgence in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, Tuzos edged past African giants Al Ahly of Egypt in a warm-up friendly, winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw. That result marked only their second success in six games, but it may provide a timely boost ahead of this critical group opener. With European giants Real Madrid and Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal also lurking in Group H, the Mexican outfit knows that securing points against Salzburg is essential for any hope of progression.
What could work in Pachuca’s favor is their strong fan presence. The significant Mexican diaspora in the United States, particularly in states like Ohio, means that Los Tuzos could enjoy vocal support on the ground – something that may prove crucial in a neutral-venue showdown.
RB Salzburg – Europe’s Young Guns Ready to Prove Their Mettle
Salzburg, meanwhile, arrive in Cincinnati with fresh optimism after a topsy-turvy domestic campaign. Following a rocky start to the season and a managerial change in December, when Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant Pepijn Lijnders was dismissed, Thomas Letsch eventually stabilized the side, guiding Die Roten Bullen to second place in the Austrian Bundesliga and back-to-back wins over BW Linz and Rapid Vienna in their final two Bundesliga games.
However, RB Salzburg haven’t played a competitive match since May 24, with a recent friendly against Seekirchen cancelled, raising questions over their match sharpness. Their defensive vulnerabilities on the road are also worth noting – they’ve failed to keep an away clean sheet since March and have lost two of their last three road fixtures.
Despite these concerns, Salzburg’s dynamic, youth-driven attack remains dangerous. Their lineup boasts pace and creativity, with players like Oscar Gloukh and Nene Dorgeles expected to be key attacking threats at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Possible Starting XI of Pachuca and RB Salzburg
Pachuca: Carlos Moreno – Luis Rodríguez, Eduardo Bauermann, Sergio Barreto, Bryan Gonzalez – Agustín Palavecino, Elias Montiel – Emilio Rodríguez, Alan Bautista, Oussama Idrissi – John Kennedy. (4-2-3-1)
RB Salzburg: Alexander Schlager – Tim Trummer, Joane Gadou, Samson Baidoo, John Mellberg – Mads Bidstrup, Takumu Kawamura – Oscar Gloukh, Dorgeles Nene – Petar Ratkov, Edmund Baidoo. (4-2-2-2)
Pachuca vs RB Salzburg Prediction
This matchup is finely balanced according to the odds at EveryGame, with Pachuca priced at +150 and RB Salzburg at +180, while the draw sits at +235. Given the Mexican side’s superior match fitness, their recent Champions Cup pedigree, and the expected fan support in Ohio, Pachuca may hold a slight edge – particularly in terms of experience, intensity and rhythm over the youthful Red Bulls.
While RB Salzburg’s offensive unit is capable of troubling any defense, their prolonged break and shaky away form could leave them exposed, especially in a fast-paced contest on the We’re backing the value of a double chance on Pachuca or Draw paired with Over 2.5 total goals at +180. This covers multiple likely outcomes while still offering solid value for a mid-stakes play.