Group C of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup reaches its dramatic conclusion at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, where Bayern Munich and Benfica square off in a match with massive implications.
With Bayern already through to the knockout rounds, the real pressure is on Benfica, who must at least earn a draw to guarantee a spot in the Round of 16, and in doing so, knock out Boca Juniors.
The German giants have made light work of the group stage so far. A record-breaking 10-0 demolition of Auckland City was followed by a gritty 2-1 victory over Boca, sealed by a late strike from Michael Olise. The two wins see Bayern sitting comfortably atop the group. A point here will seal top spot.
Benfica, meanwhile, come into this showdown with their fate in their own hands. A resilient comeback draw against Boca and a commanding 6-0 win over Auckland City has set them up nicely. They will likely need a point given Boca are likely to rack up the goals against the hapless semi-pro New Zealand side.
According to Paddy Power, Bayern are the favourites for this one. A win for them pays 19/20, while Benfica are at 13/5 and the draw is 9/4.
The Sporting News offers up our expert tips, forecasts and predictions from our football experts to make the game more exciting.
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Bayern Munich vs. Benfica prediction, tips, bet builder and odds for Club World Cup clash
Bayern to score first: 3/4 (Spreadex)
Even with qualification in the bag, Bayern won’t take their foot off the gas. Topping the group means a potentially easier path forward, so expect them to stay sharp. The numbers back it up too — the Bavarians have struck first in six of their last seven matchups against Benfica, and in seven of their last eight matches overall.
Over 2.5 total match goals: 3/5 (Spreadex)
This one has the makings of a high-scoring affair. Benfica will need to attack if Bayern do score first, while the Germans are no strangers to lighting up the scoreboard. In their past four meetings with the Portuguese side, Bayern have come out on top with scorelines of 5-1, 4-0, and 5-2 — a history that suggests we’re in for another goal-filled spectacle.
Bayern Munich vs. Benfica lineups, team news
Striker Andrea Belotti serves the second of his two-game ban in this decider, so Vangelis Pavlidis will lead the line again. Perhaps more significantly, left-back Alvaro Carreras is also suspended after earning two yellow cards in the first two games. Samuel Dahl should replace him.
Gianluca Prestianni impressed against Auckland and could keep his place in the attack, while head coach Lage will need to decide whether veteran Angel Di Maria is ready for a third start in a row. Renato Sanches could return to the lineup against his former club to add some extra cover in central midfield.
Some of Benfica's preparations have been overshadowed by a touchline row between Lage and Orkun Kokcu, who was furious at being substituted against Auckland. A Bola reported on Sunday that the issue has been put to bed, so he should be in the squad.
Benfica predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Trubin (GK) —Aursnes, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl — Barreiro, Sanches — Di Maria, Prestianni, Akturtoglu — Pavlidis.
Injured: Florentino (undisc.).
Suspended: Belotti, Carreras.
Yellow card away from suspension: Pavlidis, Kokcu, Bajrami.
MORE: Complete rosters for every team at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Bayern should have Jamal Musiala available after he returned to training at the weekend despite initial fears of a longer-term injury sustained in the win over Boca. If he is not fit to start, Serge Gnabry could keep his place in the No. 10 role.
Kim Min-jae is also training again after a minor injury, but he is more likely to start on the bench.
Vincent Kompany used Sacha Boey and then Konrad Laimer at right-back in the first two games, so he will have a decision to make for this decider. Otherwise, expect the team to look similar to the one from matchday two.
Bayern Munich predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Neuer (GK) — Laimer, Stanisic, Tah, Guerreiro — Kimmich, Goretzka — Olise, Gnabry, Coman — Kane.
Injured: Musiala (knock, doubt), Kim (knock, doubt).
Suspended: None.
Yellow card away from suspension: Goretzka.
Bayern Munich vs. Benfica predicted score and most likely results
Here's some of the most likely results for this Club World Cup match-up, according to Paddy Power.
| Result | Odds |
|---|---|
| Draw 1-1 | 13/2 |
| Bayern 1-0 | 10/1 |
| Draw 0-0 | 16/1 |
| Bayern 2-1 | 8/1 |
| Bayern 2-0 | 11/1 |
| Bayern 3-1 | 14/1 |
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How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Benfica in Club World Cup action
- Date: Tuesday, June 24
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Time: 8:00 p.m. BST
- TV/Streaming: DAZN
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