All eight groups in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup consist of four teams. In Group E, Inter Milan, Monterrey, River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds will fight for the top two spots in the group to advance to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Italian side Inter Milan are the favorites to advance from this group on DraftKings Sportsbook, followed by River Plate from Argentina, Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds and Monterrey from Liga MX in Mexico.
Monterrey To Qualify From Group (+350)
Inter Milan are clear favorites to advance from the group, and I expect them to do that with no trouble at all. The question becomes, which team of the other three will join them in the Round of 16? At -310 odds, River Plate still has too many unknowns for me to ride with them with such low odds. I would rather take a shot with C.F. Monterrey, who play in the Mexican league.
Monterrey recently played in the Concacaf Champions Cup earlier this year, a knockout tournament between clubs in North America, Central America and South America. They put on a good showing and lost to the eventual runner-up Vancouver Whitecaps FC from the MLS on away goals in the round of 16. Those same Whitecaps are top of the Western Conference in the MLS this season, so Monterrey have shown that they can compete against quality opposition.
Both Segio’s for Monterrey will be key in this tournament. First, one you may have heard of. Sergio Ramos signed for the club in February this year, and the 39-year-old will bring not only quality to the backline but leadership and knockout tournament experience. Then, there’s a Sergio you may not have heard of. Former Real Sociedad and Real Betis attacking midfielder Sergio Canales will be one of the key players in attack for the Mexican team. He has four caps for Spain under his belt and has been with the club for two seasons now. He is currently having the best season of his career in terms of numbers, producing 17 goals and 12 assists in Liga MX.
Monterrey got a tough draw in this tournament because they face Inter Milan first. Ideally, you want to get points on the board early and play your hardest game last. Either way, this is the draw they were dealt. If they can somehow get a result in the opening match, they will be in fine shape. If not, the second game against River Plate will be crucial.
At generous +350 odds, I would take a swing on the Liga MX team before River Plate at those odds or even the more unknown team in the Urawa Red Diamonds.
