The Club World Cup curtain-raiser between CF Monterrey and Inter Milan is set for Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the famed Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This clash kicks off at 03:00 CEST for viewers in Italy, Germany, France and Spain, and at 02:00 BST for those in the UK. Football fans can catch the action live on DANZ.
This fixture marks Monterrey’s sixth appearance in the competition and Inter’s second, having lifted the trophy in their previous campaign. With the new expanded format on show in the USA, both sides will be eager to stamp their authority early in the tournament.
How are both teams coming into this?
CF Monterrey arrive as underdogs but have shown resilience under Spanish coach Domènec Torrent Font. Their recent record of three wins and two defeats highlights a team capable of springing surprises, although a 2-1 loss to Deportivo Toluca before the tournament revealed some defensive vulnerabilities that need ironing out.
Inter Milan come into Pasadena on the back of three wins, one draw and a heavy 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Manager Cristian Chivu has instilled a strong defensive structure and a potent counter-attacking threat, yet the recent drubbing in France could linger in the players’ minds.
Our forecast
Despite Monterrey’s unpredictability, our prediction leans towards an Inter Milan victory. The Nerazzurri’s European pedigree and squad depth should prevail, especially if they rectify the defensive lapses that cost them against PSG.
We also expect both teams to find the net. Monterrey’s attacking flair combined with Inter’s forward runners makes the ‘Both teams to score’ market particularly appealing. A prudent punter might also consider backing Over 1.5 goals in the match.
