The FIFA Club World Cup Group C showdown between Auckland City FC and Boca Juniors takes place on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. The match kicks off at 20:00 local time at the Fairgrounds Stadium in Nashville. Fans in the UK can tune in at 20:00 BST, while viewers in Italy, Germany, France and Spain will see the action start at 21:00 CEST.
This encounter is matchday 3 of the group stage and could prove decisive for both sides. Auckland City sit bottom of the table after a heavy opening defeat, while Boca Juniors look to build on their 2-2 draw with SL Benfica. Expect plenty of intrigue as the Oceanian champions aim to bounce back against the Argentine heavyweights.
How are both teams coming into this?
Auckland City FC arrive on the back of a demoralising 10-0 loss to Bayern Munich. That result has left Paul Posa’s side rooted to the bottom with zero points and a -10 goal difference. Despite a mixed domestic run of three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five outings, the step up in quality at this level has clearly exposed defensive frailties.
Manager Posa must find a way to shore up his rearguard while still offering an attacking outlet. The challenge is significant: Auckland City have yet to record a clean sheet in this tournament, and confidence is low after such a one-sided opening outing.
Boca Juniors head into this game with a point from their 2-2 draw against SL Benfica. Miguel Ángel Russo’s men have struggled for consistency—one win, two draws and two defeats in five—but their continental pedigree makes them clear favourites. Russo will emphasise organisation at the back and look to exploit Auckland’s defensive lapses with quick transitions.
While Boca’s attack has shown flashes of creativity, their recent fixtures have also highlighted vulnerabilities at the back. Securing a win here would put them firmly in control of the group and take the pressure off for the final matchday.
Our forecast
Given the disparity in quality and experience, our main forecast is a Boca Juniors victory. The Argentine side should dominate possession and create more clear-cut chances, especially against an Auckland defence still reeling from their opening defeat. We expect Boca to edge the match by one or two goals.
Goals may not flow freely, however, as both teams will prioritise defensive solidity—Auckland to stem the tide, Boca to protect their clean sheet. For that reason, an under 3.5 goals market looks appealing, and we also favour the “Both Teams Not to Score” option given Auckland’s scoring struggles.
Best odds
Bet365: Boca Juniors to win at 1.01
William Hill: Draw at 35.00
Betfair: Both Teams Not to Score at 1.25
While football can always produce surprises, the gulf in class suggests that Boca Juniors will take maximum points here. Bettors looking for a low-risk option should back the Argentines to win, while those seeking slightly higher returns can consider the “Both Teams Not to Score” market.
As always, gamble responsibly and only stake what you can afford to lose. Enjoy the game!
