Luke Lindholm
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup knockout stage begins today, so make sure you check out my Palmeiras vs Botafogo and Benfica vs Chelsea picks. During the group stage, I posted a 15-5 record with my FIFA Club World Cup predictions, so you’ll want to see who I’m backing on Sunday. Here is the schedule:
- Paris Saint-Germain vs Inter Miami – 12:00 pm ET, TNT
- Flamengo vs Bayern Munich – 4:00 pm ET, DAZN
While today’s matches come with excitement, I can’t wait to watch these 4 teams on Sunday. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are the big underdogs against his former team, PSG, while Flamengo is facing one of the best squads in this tournament in Bayern Munich, even though they won their group. Let’s get into my FIFA Club World Cup picks for Sunday and explain why it’s worth tuning in for these two games.
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Paris Saint-Germain vs Inter Miami best bets: PSG 3-Way ML, Lionel Messi to Record 2+ Shots and Messi to Record 1+ Shots on Target (-105)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The opening match on Sunday features Paris Saint-Germain going up against Inter Miami. This game has the biggest storyline, as Lionel Messi played one season for PSG and stated earlier this year how he never settled in. Although he didn’t fully enjoy his time in Paris, he’s definitely had fun playing for Inter Miami, but taking down PSG would truly be a Cinderella story. You don’t often use that term when talking about Messi, but the French squad are the tournament favorites to win it all. Although they fell to Botafogo in the group stage, they didn’t play their typical Starting XI, and they fully bounced back against the Seattle Sounders with a 2-0 victory in their final game to finish atop Group A.
Inter Miami wasn’t expected to make the knockout stage, but Messi’s magic and a rejuvenated Luis Suarez pushed them through. They drew with Al Ahly 0-0 in the first match and were down 1-0 against FC Porto before equalizing. Then, Messi scored a pristine free kick in the 54th minute to take all 3 points, and they went on to draw with Palmeiras 2-2 in their final game to finish just behind the Brazilian squad on goal differential. Although he’s 37, Messi has looked like his former self the past two games, and Inter Miami will need another top performance from the Argentine if they want any chance of beating PSG.
The Parisians should take care of business in this game, as shown by their -1600 price to qualify. Although I hate betting against Lionel, PSG is just too talented, and I can’t see them slipping up like they did against Botafogo. The French side has won 20 of their last 25 games in all competitions dating back to last season. Additionally, 13 of those 20 victories have come by 2+ goals, I wouldn’t be surprised if they win by 2+ against Inter Miami.
However, Messi won’t exit this tournament without a fight. The Barcelona legend has 2+ shots in all 18 of Inter Miami’s matches this season, and he’s put 1+ shot on target in 17 of those games. Expect PSG to get the job done, but Messi should record a couple of shots and test Gianluigi Donnarumma at least once.
My Pick: Same Game Parlay – PSG 3-Way ML, Lionel Messi to Record 2+ Shots and Messi to Record 1+ Shots on Target (-105)
Read our full Inter Miami vs PSG prediction
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Flamengo vs Bayern Munich predictions: Flamengo +1.5 and Harry Kane to Record 1+ Shot on Target (-115)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The 2nd match on Sunday is the game of the knockout stage, in my opinion, as Brazilian side Flamengo takes on the Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. I stated this in my Benfica vs Chelsea prediction, but I thought we’d see these 2 teams meet in the Round of 16, but on the other side of the bracket. Bayern were the favorites to win Group C, and Flamengo was pinned to finish second in Group D, but we ended up with the opposite. Now, this Flamengo side is no joke. They have a mix of young and experienced players, and the team runs through CAM Giorgian de Arrascaeta. The Uruguayan currently leads Campeonato Brasileiro Série A with 9 goals and found the back of the net against ES Tunis. Additionally, Jorginho is a kingpin in the midfield, while former Real Madrid, Man City and Juventus CB Danilo holds down the back.
Bayern Munich should win this game, but things won’t be easy. They dominated Auckland City 10-0 in their opening match, but that was against an amateur squad. Then, Boca Juniors pushed them to the limit, but Michael Olise saved them with an 84th-minute winner. Finally, they fell to Benfica in their final group-stage match, as their poor finishing was on full display. However, it’s worth noting that Harry Kane didn’t start that game, but I expect him to make the Starting XI against Flamengo. He is their one true finisher, as Leroy Sane, Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry have all struggled to find the back of the net in the previous 2 games.
I debated taking Flamengo on the double chance in this one, as the Brazilian team has been playing at an elite level this season. They currently sit atop the Brazilian league, as they’re 7-3-1 through 11 games and have only allowed 4 goals. Additionally, they’ve shown they can compete with European squads after dismantling Chelsea 3-1 in the group stage. If Bayern doesn’t score first, breaking down Flamengo will be tough. They allowed 2 goals in the group stage, but they’ve posted a shutout in 8 of their 11 domestic league contests. I anticipate they will keep this game close and even plan to sprinkle on their odds to qualify for the quarterfinals at +255.
Although Flamengo should keep this game within 2 goals, there’s no doubt that Kane will leave his mark on this contest. The English ST has 1+ shot on target in 14 of Bayern’s last 15 games in all competitions when he starts. After failing to record a shot on target when he came off the bench against Benfica, I expect Kane will be hungry for a goal, so I’ll gladly back him to record at least 1 shot on target in what should be a hard-fought knockout match.
My Pick: Same Game Parlay – Flamengo +1.5 and Harry Kane to Record 1+ Shot on Target (-115)
Read our full Flamengo vs Bayern Munich prediction
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