Real Madrid vs Pachuca Preview: Team News & Prediction
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After stunning Egyptian giants Al Ahly on penalties, Concacaf Champions Cup winners Pachuca have set up a showdown with UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup holders Real Madrid in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final.
Kick-off date/time: Wednesday December 18th 2024: UK – 5:00pm / US ET – 12:00pm / US PT – 9:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – DAZN / US – beIN SPORTS & beIN SPORTS en Español
How to watch online: UK – FIFA+ / US – beIN SPORTS CONNECT
Real Madrid Preview: Short turnaround in games
Real Madrid were last in action this past weekend, drawing 3-3 away at Rayo Vallecano, a frustrating result for them domestically. Now though, they must turn their attention to this opportunity to win a trophy in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, which should serve as huge motivation for the Madrid players.
What Carlo Ancelotti’s side seem to have locked down in recent fixtures is their ability to find the net. Each of Real Madrid’s last three games in all competitions have seen them find the net three times, which bodes well for them here.
Pachuca Preview: Searching for fairytale end
Pachuca were not expected to make the semi-finals of this competition, let alone the final but the Mexican side have proven many people wrong, taking two big scalps on their way to Lusail. After beating Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo by three goals to nil, they played out a nerve-wracking 0-0 draw after extra-time against Al Ahly.
The resulting penalty shootout saw Pachuca go 0-2 down and look like they were doomed. Incredibly though, Al Ahly missed their fourth and fifth penalties which led to sudden-death and in the end it was Pachuca who triumphed 6-5.
Real Madrid Team News: Mbappe fit and in squad for final
The big news from a Real Madrid perspective is that Kylian Mbappe has shaken off the thigh injury which kept him out of the side’s draw with Rayo Vallecano and has been named in the squad. It would be no surprise if Mbappe was to start along with the likes of Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga, who were both on the bench this past weekend.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Garcia; Valverde, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe
Unavailable: Alaba (Injured), Militao (Injured), Carvajal (Injured), Mendy (Injured)
Questionable: Mbappe (Injured)
Pachuca Team News: Mexicans could match Madrid
It would be no surprise if Pachuca chose to stick with the same 4-2-3-1 formation utilised against Al Ahly and match up man-for-man with Real Madrid. Salomon Rondon should provide a focal point up top once again.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Moreno; Rodriguez, Cabral, Micolta, B. Gonzalez; Montiel Avalos, Pedraza; A. Gonzalez, Bautista Gutierrez, Idrissi; Rondon
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Real Madrid vs Pachuca Prediction
As brilliant as Pachuca have done to reach the final, the worry for them is whether they have burned themselves out doing so. To go through 120 minutes against Al Ahly was a big challenge for them both physically and mentally and playing Real Madrid just four days later gives the Pachuca squad precious little time to recover.
Real Madrid seem to have found their shooting boots at just the right time and Mbappe being back fit is a big boost for them. Throw Vinicius Junior into the mix and Los Blancos should overwhelm the Pachuca backline over the course of 90 minutes. Therefore, back Real Madrid to come out on top and win the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca Tip: Real Madrid to win
