Soccer Pick: Al Hilal to Win (+160) [1u wager returns 1.60u] at Everygame (visit our Everygame Review)
The FIFA Club World Cup 2022 is underway, but only one team can be crowned as the greatest club team in the world.
With a position in the semi-finals up for grabs, we’ll preview and discover the games with the most significant betting value for soccer picks from the round two teams competing this weekend.
Let’s waste no time and dive into the betting markets, as US betting sites have released their odds for Wydad AC vs. Al-Hilal and Seattle Sounders vs. Al Ahiy.
Wydad AC vs. Al Hilal SFC
Saturday, Saturday 04, 2023 – 09:30 AM EST at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Wydad AC
Following an impressive display at last year’s Qatar World Cup, Moroccan soccer returns to the big stage as its three-time CAF Champions League titleholders enter the FIFA Club World Cup in an attempt to make more history for their country.
To earn their position in this competition, Wydad outwitted the most successful team in the CAF Champions League, netting more goals than any other team involved and remaining undefeated on home soil on their way to success.
Wydad hasn’t won a game in FIFA Club World Cup history; however, as Mehdi Nafti is now steering the ship, this squad has evolved into a defensive unit and has provided six consecutive clean sheets domestically, sitting just two points behind the Botola league leaders.
Wydad will clash with Al-Hilal on Saturday, the first time they’ve ever met with a Saudi Arabian squad, and will enter this meeting having lost just one game from their previous 11 fixtures versus teams outside of their nation.
Al-Hilal
The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League has drawn worldwide attention. And although he’s signed to Al Nassr, we expect the limelight to roll over to Al-Hilal as they represent their nation at the Club World Cup for a third time.
Money is flowing in Saudi, and as Al-Hilal’s rivals signed CR7, they allegedly offered Lionel Messi a $350 million contract to match their foe’s highlight signing. However, the focus for Al-Hilal turns to the Club World Cup, and they’ll enter the competition after losing just 1 game from their previous 12 in all competitions.
This club has never lost a round two matchup at the FIFA Club World Cup, and this time last year, they dismantled Al Jazira 6-1 to advance to the semi-final.
Pick and Prediction
There’s no denying Wydad’s recent form, but Al-Hilal will arrive at this tournament boasting a squad filled with players who represented Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup.
Defensive prowess has favored Wydad this term, but as these performances have been contested in Morocco, we can’t guarantee this form will continue against the four-time AFC Champions League winners.
We expect this meeting to be a tight encounter, but the Club World Cup experience, team camaraderie, and final-third precision of Al-Hilal should give them the edge.
Soccer Pick: Al Hilal to Win (+160) [1u wager returns 1.60u] at Everygame
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Al Ahly SC
Saturday, Saturday 04, 2023 – 12:00 PM EST at Ibn Batouta Stadium
Seattle Sounders
Seattle made North American soccer history when becoming the first club from the United States to lift the CONCACAF Champions League title last season. The Sounders have been a respected MLS squad since the league’s inception, lifting the title twice and reaching the MLS Cup final on two occasions.
They’ll look to make history again when becoming the first MLS squad to compete at the Club World Cup. Although last season’s MLS efforts weren’t notable, their style of play is renowned for its adaptation as they switch approaches game-to-game to meet the opposing blueprint.
Brian Schmetzer and the Seattle squad haven’t had many warm-ups as it’s the MLS off-season, but this doesn’t take anything away from the collection of talent he can field this Saturday.
Seattle allowed just one goal during their four-game CONCACAF Champions League playoff meetings until returning from 2-0 in the first leg of the final to draw 2-2 and then eliminate Pumas in the reverse fixture to lift the trophy.
Al Ahly
The Egyptian Premier League is in full force, and its current table toppers, Al Ahly, enter the second round of the Club World Cup following a third-round 3-0 success over Auckland City this past Wednesday.
Al Ahly has dominated their domestic fixtures this term and look destined to lift the Egyptian Premier League trophy sitting at the summit of the table, the only team to have avoided defeat this term.
The record-holding 10-time CAF Champions League winners haven’t lost a second-round clash at the FIFA Club World Cup since 2013, and their defensive unit is a tough nut to crack.
Pick and Prediction
Both teams present the defensive capabilities to force extra time this Saturday.
Al Ahly has conceded the last goals in the Egyptian Premier League in 5 of the previous 6 seasons, and they’re emulating these efforts again this term, with just five goals allowed from 15 games.
Physicality could be an issue for Seattle, who’s yet to play a competitive game because the MLS season doesn’t begin until February.
The attacking prowess of Al Ahly will be too much for Seattle, but the Americans can undoubtedly keep their opponent’s scoring to a minimum and hold off a shutout loss.
Soccer Pick: Al Ahly to Win (+155) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
Soccer Pick: Under 2.5 Goals (-118) at Bovada
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
