Trader's Insight: FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group B Preview & Tips

Obviously come into this tournament on a massive high after their devastating defeat of Inter Milan in the Champions League final and another stroll to victory in Ligue 1. This is not the easiest group in the world and I suspect Luis Enrique will rotate significantly given how many games they have played this season and the relative youth of most of their players.

For this reason I would probably caution against getting involved with them at short prices or backing any of their players for top tournament scorer due to the fact playing time will almost definitely be split across their attacking options.

I would expect Barcola, Goncalo Ramos, Lee Kang-In, Zaire-Emery, Mayulu and even 17 year old prospect Mbaye to feature fairly heavily here. Ousmane Dembele is obviously the major goal threat but he is potentially injured and I suspect he will miss at least one or two of the group matches. I would have been keen on Bradley Barcola but he also took a knock in the same France game and so Goncalo Ramos could well step up here.

I would expect him to take the penalties if he is on the pitch, otherwise it will be Vitinha or Dembele. Direct set pieces are generally shared around between Kvaratshkelia, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha and Joao Neves depending on where they are taken and Marquinhos is the main aerial threat from corners and free kicks.

Another fairly satisfactory season for Atletico as they finish in their customary third place in La Liga whilst reaching the last 16 of the Champions League and the semi-final of the Copa del Rey.

Stasis has begun to frustrate some elements of the Atleti support though and Diego Simeone should take this competition seriously and use it as an opportunity to add some silverware to a trophy cabinet that hasn’t been opened since 2021.

On the plus side, they have one of the most exciting attacks in Europe at the moment with Alexander Sorloth in absolutely superlative goalscoring form with backup from Julian Alvarez and club legend Antoine Griezmann. Julian Alvarez should be on penalties when he is on the pitch, will be Sorloth otherwise. Griezmann and Alvarez will take the majority of direct free kicks and Robin Le Normand is the main aerial threat from set pieces if he is on the pitch.

They finished the season strongly and should be reasonably fresh coming into this competition and look a decent price against PSG in their first game.

Botafogo arrive at the Club World Cup after an historic 2024/25 season in which they won their third ever domestic league title and their first ever Copa Libertadores.

Unfortunately, this has led to a slight drain of their players with Luiz Henrique departing for Zenit St Petersburg and veteran squad players like Junior Santos, Tche-Tche, Tiquinho Soares and Oscar Romero all moving on leaving Botafogo short on experience.

This season’s start has been solid without being spectacular as they currently sit in 6th place in the league with 5 wins from 11 matches and progressed through a tricky Copa Libertadores group in second place. They have also been rocked by the news that three of their promising younger players will be making the move to Nottingham Forest with Igor Jesus, Jair and Cuiabano all leaving after this tournament.

Although they will be available here, you have to question how focused they will be on success here as well as being desperate to avoid any injuries before arriving at the City Ground. Goals tend to be shared out amongst this team with Igor Jesus spearheading the attack without being prolific. Alex Telles appears to be the first choice penalty taker with Igor Jesus as backup. Jefferson Savarino will be on most of the free kicks and corners and, whilst he has never scored a competitive goal, 6 foot 6 inches tall Jair will be the obvious target.

Undoubtedly the outsiders of a tough group, Seattle can still give the other three teams some trouble. Generally consistent performers in the MLS and always solid without being spectacular, Sounders will be hoping that they can make their home advantage count here, particularly in their opening game against Botafogo.

Fairly solid defensively, they have arguably failed to replace all time top scorer Raul Ruidiaz and have relied on goals from Danny Musovski and Albert Rusnak. Ex-Man City youth player Rusnak will take the penalties and majority of set pieces as well and will be looking for 6 foot 6 inch centre back Jackson Ragen if he starts.

This looks a very tough group for the outsiders and I would expect PSG and Atletico to progress here. Given Atletico have had more time to rest and prepare I will be looking to side with them to top the group at the current prices. There is potentially an angle to take PSG on given the rumoured injuries so couldn’t put anyone off having a look at either Botafogo or Seattle to progress.

• Sunday, June 15 - PSG vs Atletico Madrid (20:00 BST)
• Monday, June 16 - Botafogo vs Seattle Sounders (03:00 BST)
• Thursday, June 19 - Seattle Sounders vs Atletico Madrid (23:00 BST)
• Friday, June 20 - PSG vs Botafogo (02:00 BST) (Group B)
• Monday, June 23 - Seattle Sounders vs PSG (20:00 BST) (Group B)
• Monday, June 23 - Atletico Madrid vs Botafogo (20:00 BST) (Group B)

Ladbrokes has an article looking at the group stage games to watch at the Club World Cup. As well as that, we've also posted an extensive Club World Cup schedule guide, for fans who don't miss out on a single minute of action in America.

As noted, there are a lot of questions surrounding this summer's tournaments, some fans still wondering why Liverpool aren't in the tournament but Chelsea are, for example.

So, Ladbrokes has an 'Answering all your questions on the Club World Cup 2025' piece for fans who still don't feel they know all they need to about the revamped FIFA competition.

View the latest Club World Cup odds.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.