FIFA Club World Cup Quarterfinal Predictions Including PSG vs Bayern Munich

Paulinho’s late goal over Botafogo secured Palmeiras chance to upset Chelsea and ensure one of the finalists will not be a UEFA side. Their round of 16 clash was marred by defensive, physical play, and Palmeiras got the job done, but they will need to be better if they are going to upset Chelsea. This is a defensively sound team that barely concedes any goals. Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1, but three of those goals came in extra time as they were battling until they ran rampant late. This Chelsea side have bought a number of top players from South America, including Palmeiras winger Estevao who will face his future team in this game. The Chelsea players will know what they have signed up for in this game, and they should have enough quality to get it done, all be it narrowly. Prediction: Chelsea 1 Palmeiras 0

Fluminense vs Al Hilal
(Friday in Orlando)

Fluminense raced past an exhausted and listless Inter Milan side, it was a historic victory for Jhon Arias and company, as Argentine Lautaro Martinez was kept off the scoreboard against a Brazilian side. Fluminense are riding a historic moment, and have showcased the depth and quality of the Brazilian league. Al Hilal’s global ambitions have also been rewarded, the Saudi side stunned Manchester City 4-3 in a game that was impressive and entertaining. The second half saw the Saudi side come alive, and riding that momentum, it does feel like they have more firepower to trouble Fluminense and get a win. 45 year old Fabio, and 41 year old Thiago Silva anchor Fluminense defensively, they are playing like they are half their age, but is it going to last against Malcom and Al Hilal? Bono in goal for Al Hilal could prove the difference. Prediction: Al Hilal 2 Fluminense 1

PSG vs Bayern Munich
(Saturday in Atlanta)

The giants of France against the giants of Germany, Bayern has won the last two meetings including in the 2024 Champions League phase, but PSG are the team on a hot streak, they won in France, they won in Europe, now they want to win the world. PSG made easy work of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the round of 16, 4-0 as they sliced through a weak Miami backline. Bayern’s 4-2 win over Flamengo was impressive, but not as impressive, they kept the lead and didn’t concede it though and will now have to be at their best against PSG indoors in Atlanta. PSG’s attacking forward’s should shine here and put them over the top, this is a PSG side that seems to have shaken off its defeat at the hands of Botafogo in the group stage. Prediction: PSG 3 Bayern Munich 2

Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
(Saturday in New York City)

Real Madrid has not been on showcase this tournament, but they did confirm their quarterfinal appearance with a solitary goal over Juventus. Dortmund were outplayed statistically by Monterrey in their quarterfinal, but two goals from Serhou Guirassy and a great goalkeeping performance from Gregor Kobel saw them win 2-1. Dortmund probably don’t have the players to go man to man against Real Madrid at this point, but Madrid are not playing lights out, and the odds are that Dortmund can hang around and perhaps push this to extra time. 21-year-old Gonzalo García has been the star for Real Madrid this tournament and looks to make it 5 games in a row with a goal or assist. Prediction: Real Madrid 2 Dortmund 1