Club World Cup
2025-06-17 - Monterrey vs Inter Milan
A Sports Betting Pick by Gladiator
Football: FIFA Club World Cup - Round 1
Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA), USA
Tuesday 17th July 2025 - Kickoff 6pm local
Wednesday, 18th June 2025 - Kick Off 03:00 CET
Monterrey
Monterrey return to familiar territory at the Club World Cup, making their sixth appearance, a record among Mexican clubs. Known for their consistent presence in this competition, Los Rayados will aim to replicate their third-place finishes from 2012 and 2019. However, their preparation has been anything but smooth.
After a disappointing quarter-final exit in the 2025 Liga MX Clausura, the club appointed Domčnec Torrent as their new head coach. With a wealth of experience under Pep Guardiola, Torrent’s tactical style is progressive but may need time to take root.
On the pitch, Germán Berterame remains the team’s most reliable goal threat, hitting the net 20+ times this season and scoring three in his last four outings. Notably, all those goals have come in second halves, something bettors should factor into live betting strategies. Monterrey are rarely blanked; they’ve scored in 11 of their last 12 Club World Cup matches.
However, their aggressive style has led to disciplinary issues, with seven red cards in their last 12 games, which could prove costly against elite opposition.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan enter the tournament with redemption in mind. Despite a stellar season that saw them score 114 goals across all competitions, a club record for the modern era, they suffered heartbreak by losing the Serie A title on the final day and enduring a 5-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League final.
A change at the helm followed, with former Inter defender Cristian Chivu now tasked with leading a rebuild. Although he lacks top-level experience, his brief yet impressive stint with Parma suggests promise.
Inter’s strength lies in their attacking depth. Lautaro Martínez continues to deliver in big games, scoring Inter’s opener in their last two Champions League outings. Defensively, they’ve been solid too, keeping clean sheets in seven of their last ten wins. The absence of Hakan Çalhanoğlu due to injury and Mehdi Taremi being stuck abroad may slightly weaken their midfield and forward options. However, the Nerazzurri still boast enough firepower and structure to dominate.
The Betting Verdict
This fixture pits a transitional Monterrey against a wounded but elite European giant.
While Monterrey can be dangerous, especially in the second half, their recent instability and poor record against European teams (L to Chelsea and Liverpool in prior CWC appearances) suggest a clear gap in quality.
The Pick :
Monterrey 0-1 Inter Milan
