Real Madrid vs Juventus: 2025 FIFA CWC round of 16 preview, H2H, prediction
Real Madrid defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold (left) with Juventus midfielder, Kenyan Yildiz (right). Photo Credit- The Sporting News
Real Madrid, the 15-time Champions League winners, face Italian giants Juventus in a heavyweight 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 clash, with a quarterfinal spot against Manchester City or Al-Hilal at stake. This high-stakes encounter at Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday, July 1st, 2025 3:00 PM (9:00 PM CEST), will see two European titans against each other, with Real Madrid topping Group H and Juventus finishing as Group G runners-up after a 5-2 loss to Manchester City. This piece is set to explore both teams’ performances, tactics, team news, injuries, head-to-head statistics, and a scoreline prediction.
Real Madrid recent performances
Real Madrid secured Group H’s top spot with 7 points, drawing 1-1 with Al-Hilal, and winning 3-1 against Pachuca and 3-0 against RB Salzburg on June 26, 2025. Vinicius Jr. and Federico Valverde starred, with Valverde scoring in the Salzburg win, while Gonzalo Garcia sealed the 3-0 victory. Their 2024/25 La Liga season ended with a second-place finish, 12 points behind Barcelona, and a Champions League quarter final exit to Arsenal. Despite this, Kylian Mbappe, alongside Vinicius, kept their attack potent.
Real Madrid tactical analysis
Xabi Alonso’s 4-3-3 emphasizes fluid attacking play and high pressing, with Jude Bellingham anchoring midfield alongside Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. Mbappe leads the attack, drifting left to combine with Vinicius, while Rodrygo’s versatility adds width. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s arrival from Liverpool enhances creativity from right-back, but the high defensive line, led by Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio makes them vulnerable. Real Madrid’s 64% possession against Salzburg and 8 group-stage goals suggest they’ll dominate the ball, but Juventus’s counter-attacks could exploit their makeshift defenses.
Real Madrid team news and injuries
Real Madrid’s defense is depleted, with Dani Carvajal (knee), Eder Militao (knee), David Alaba (ACL recovery), and Ferland Mendy (hamstring) ruled out. Antonio Rudiger is a 50-50 doubt with a meniscus injury, leaving Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio likely to start. Eduardo Camavinga is doubtful with a knock, and Endrick is out with a hamstring injury as well as Mbappe (illness), Vinicius and Jude Bellingham are fit, with Arda Guler pushing for a start after scoring against Pachuca.
Predicted Real Madrid XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Huijsen, Asencio, Fran Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Guler, Vinicius Jr.
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Juventus recent form
Juventus advanced as Group G runners-up with 6 points, thrashing Al Ain 4-0 and Wydad AC 4-1 but suffering a 5-2 defeat to Manchester City on June 26, 2025. Their 9 group-stage goals, led by Dušan Vlahovic, Randal Kolo Muani, and Kenan Yıldız, highlighted their attacking flair. In Serie A, Juventus finished fourth in 2024/25, scoring 62 goals in 38 matches, with Vlahovic’s 16 goals and Randal Kolo Muani’s 8 goals are key.
Juventus tactical analysis
Igor Tudor’s 3-4-2-1 formation prioritizes flexibility, with Fabio Conceicao and Kenan Yıldız as playmaking No. 10s behind Vlahovic. Weston McKennie and Manuel Locatelli control midfield, with Locatelli’s tackles and McKennie’s interceptions providing steel. Wing-backs Andrea Cambiaso and Filip Kostic stretch play, but Juventus’s defense, led by Federico Gatti, conceded 5 goals to City, exposing weaknesses against elite attacks. Their 4.5 goals per game in the group stage, according to CBS Sports, show potency, but their 1 loss in 11 matches under Tudor suggests resilience, according to WhoScored.
Juventus team news and injuries
Juventus have a near-fully fit squad, with Juan Cabal (ankle) as their only confirmed absentee. Manuel Locatelli, recovered from an ankle injury, is set to start, alongside McKennie. Vlahovic, Yıldız, and Kolo Muani are confirmed starters, with Timothy Weah likely to feature off the bench after his group-stage impact.
Predicted Juventus XI (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Gatti, Kalulu, Bremer; Cambiaso, Locatelli, McKennie, Kostic; Conceicao, Yıldız; Vlahovic.
Real Madrid vs Juventus head-to-head statistics
Real Madrid and Juventus have a storied rivalry, meeting 21 times in UEFA competitions since 1962, with Real Madrid leading 11 wins to Juventus’s 8, and 2 draws. Real Madrid have won 5 of the last 6 encounters, scoring 29 goals to Juventus’s 26. Key clashes include: 2017 Champions League Final: Real Madrid 4-1 Juventus (June 3, 2017, Cardiff). 2014/15 Champions League Semifinal: Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid, Real Madrid 1-1 Juventus (Juventus advanced 3-2 on aggregate). 2024/25 Champions League Group Stage: Juventus 2-0 Real Madrid (December 11, 2024), Juventus’s only recent win.
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Real Madrid vs Juventus score prediction
Real Madrid are favorites. Juventus’s 9 group-stage goals and Vlahovic’s form pose a threat, but their 5-2 loss to City exposed defensive frailties. Real Madrid’s attack, led by Vinicius and Bellingham should exploit Juventus’s backline, though their own injury-hit defense may concede. Both teams’ attacking outpts suggests a high-scoring game, with critics on social media noting Juventus’s tendency to score 2+ goals in recent meetings.
