Al-Ahly vs Inter Miami Prediction: A blockbuster opener with all eyes on Messi

Al-Ahly vs Inter Miami: Prediction and odds on the Match on 15 June 2025

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off with a mouthwatering clash at Hard Rock Stadium, where Egyptian giants Al Ahly face Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in a historic opener for the most-anticipated football tournament. Al Ahly, the pride of African football, brings a legacy of 12 CAF Champions League titles and a strong squad to the competition, aiming to make a statement on the global stage of this expanded 32-team tournament. Inter Miami, fueled by their star-packed forward, are under pressure to shine in their backyard.
Group A consists of Porto from Portugal, the Brazilian sensation, Palmeiras, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, and the best team in Africa, Al-Ahly. Expect a tough encounter in the opening game with both teams finding the net, and an expected goal for Lionel Messi. Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available. 

Al-Ahly: form and statistics

Form across all competitions: LWWWW

Africa’s best team Al Ahly, ranked first in Africa by FIFA, have been a strong force in African football at large, winning their record 45th Egyptian Premier League title in 2024-25 and securing three CAF Champions League crowns in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Only the Galacticos Real-Madrid have won more continental titles than the men from Cairo. They march into this expanded tournament determined and well prepared to put their name on the global stage, and it all begins with their clash against Inter Miami, a team housing one of the best players to ever grace the footballing world; Lionel Messi. 

The defending champions failed to retain their CAF Champions League title this season as they were eliminated on aggregate against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League semi-finals which fueled the sacking of coach Marcel Koller in April 2025. New manager José Riveiro, a Spaniard with experience in South Africa coaching Orlando Pirates, faces a baptism of fire in his first official game which coincidentally happens to be against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.

The Red Devils arrived in the US early ahead of the Club World Cup, losing a friendly to Pachuca 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Before this friendly defeat, The Red Devils were on a perfect run with 6 consecutive victories. The boys are fired-up and ready for this game as it happens to be one of the best games so far for Al-Ahly.

Al-Ahly Lineup

Al-Ahly: Possible Lineup

This is Riveiro’s first official game in charge of the Red Devils and his choice of players is pivotal to his success in the expanded tournament. Riveiro’s tactical discipline will likely see a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Trezeguet and Zizo adding flair to the attack. Wessam Abou Ali, the Palestinian striker, is in red-hot form – with four goals in their last league game against Pharco– and he will remain the lone striker upfront, while Emam Ashour’s all-around creativity and play will drive the midfield. Mohamed El Shenawy, is solid in the goalpost with a defense that conceded just 0.6 goals per game away in the CAF Champions League.

🔖 Al Ahly starting lineup (4-2-3-1)

El Shenawy – Mohamed Hany, Koka, Yasser Ibrahim, Mahmoud Al-Aash – Attia, Ashour – Trezeguet, Taher Mohamed, Bencharki – Wessam Abou Ali

👤 Head coach: José Riveiro

Inter Miami: form and statistics

Form across all competitions: WWDLD

Inter Miami is riding a wave of global attention, thanks to their “Fantastic Four” of FC Barcelona legends: Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. Messi, the reigning MLS MVP, has been electric, earning May 2025 MLS Player of the Month. Messi currently has 10 goals and 5 assists for MLS in the league this season. However, their 2025 season has been tough, sitting 6th in the MLS and also being eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-finals by Vancouver Whitecaps in a game which ended in a 1-3 scoreline. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami has also had good performances recently, with two consecutive league victories consisting of a (4-2) victory over Montreal and a (5-1) win over Columbus simultaneously. Messi scored a brace in each of those two games. 

New coach Javier Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi, has brought a new layer of flair to the team and has also tightened their defense. However, I believe Al-Ahly’s strength, especially in the offensive, could test Mascherano’s defense. Ticket sales are very low as the prices have been reduced by FIFA for the second time, with hopes that football fans all over the world purchase them. We envisage an electrifying game with Messi doing what he does best on the field of play. 

Inter Miami Lineup

Inter Miami: Probable Lineup

Mascherano’s 4-4-2 leans on Messi’s creativity, Suárez’s lethal finishing, and Busquets’ control of the midfield, just like the good old days at Barcelona. Homegrown talent Benjamin Cremaschi adds energy, while Maximilliano Falcon and David Martinez stabilize the backline. Noah Allen’s run in the right back position is also very important to the attack and defense overall. No major injuries are reported, and we believe Inter Miami will go all out for goals. Messi is in good form with four goals in their last two league games, and he will be hoping to score at the biggest Club footballing stage on Sunday.

🔖 Inter Miami starting lineup (4-4-2)

Callender – David Martinez, Allen, Maximilliano Falcon, Alba – Busquets, Cremaschi, Segovia, Tadeo Allende – Lionel Messi, Luiz Suárez.

👤 Head coach: Javier Mascherano

Al-Ahly vs Inter Miami: head to head statistics

This is the first-ever meeting between Al Ahly and Inter Miami, adding an extra layer of excitement to the opener. Al Ahly’s experience in the Club World Cup, with four third-place finishes this decade, contrasts with Miami’s debut on this stage. Al Ahly’s good defensive record faces Miami’s poor defending, and we can already guess how this will turn out for Inter Miami.

Al-Ahly vs Inter Miami: Betting Tips & Odds

• More than 2.5 goals in Inter Miami’s last 9 games, and the bet is offered on the 1xBet bookmaker website for odds of 1.71 odds;
• Both teams have found the net in Inter Miami’s 8 of their last 9 games, and the bet is offered on the Bet365 bookmaker website for odds of 1.60 odds;
• Lionel Messi to score at any time is offered in the 1xBet bookmaker for 2.16 odds;
• Some Betway experts believe that Inter Miami will win this game, and this option is offered on the Betway bookmaker website for 2.11 odds;

Al-Ahly vs Inter Miami match prediction 15 June 2025

Al Ahly are no strangers to the big stage, with their disciplined defense and impressive form as evidenced in their last 6 league games. Inter Miami, despite its star power, has shown defensive weakness and is also struggling against fast, pressing teams. Al-Ahli is great defensively, and with their impressive form, I think they stand a chance against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, and they could even steal the victory on Sunday.

Furthermore, the match could be a goal-fest, with both teams having great and impressive attacking potential. Miami has a star-studded frontline while Wessam Abou Ali is in “red-hot” form for Al-Ahly. Expect a thrilling, high-scoring encounter with both teams finding the net.

Our match prediction: is a total of over 2.5 goals for a coefficient of 1.71 in the 1xBet bookmaker. 

Our betting tip on the match: is for Lionel Messi to score a goal at any time for 2.16 in the Betway bookmaker.

Lastly: A both teams to score for 1.60 odds in the Bet365 bookmaker.