This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
2021 FIFA Club World Cup (February 3-12) Betting Tips & Predictions

BetZillion is back with another free football betting preview, where we check the latest 2021 FIFA Club World Cup betting odds and provide our readers with our expert picks for the upcoming international football tournament.
Learn that and more with our free 2021 FIFA Club World Cup betting preview, with our expert pick, prediction, and odds from the top-rated bookmakers!
FIFA Club World Cup History
The FIFA Club World Cup is an international men’s football competition organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It was founded in 2000 as the FIFA Club World Championship. Still, it was not held between 2001-2004 due to numerous factors, most notably due to the collapse of FIFA’s marketing partner, International Sport and Leisure (ISL).
But it returned in 2005 and has been held every year since, across Japan, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Morocco.
Since its inception and throughout history, the FIFA Club World Cup has remained an object of heated debate as views differ about the competition’s prestige. But while it does not get as much attention as other major football international tournaments, the FIFA Club World Cup remains a highly watched sporting event. For many teams attending it, it’s one of the few international titles they can hope to win.
How Does the Tournament Work?
This year will mark the 18th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, contested between the winners of continental confederations and the host nation league champions. Bayern Munich is the defending champions but will not attend the event after being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
The German squad have been replaced by the winners of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League, Chelsea, who received a direct bye into the semi-finals, alongside Palmeiras – the winners of 2021 Copa Libertadores.
The remaining teams attending the event include:
- Al Hilal – Winner of the 2021 AFC Champions League
- Al Ahly – Winner of the 2020–21 CAF Champions League
- Monterrey – Winner of the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League
- A.S. Pirae – Nominated by OFC
- Al Jazira – Winner of the 2020–21 UAE Pro League
Al Jazira and As Pirae will enter the tournament in the first round, while Monterrey, Al Ahly, and Al Hilal will join in the second round.
2021 FIFA Club World Cup Odds – Bookies’ Favourites
The betting odds for FIFA Club World Cup 2021 make it clear which team should win, with Chelsea priced as the main favourite to claim the trophy at 1/7. Behind the reigning Champions League winners is Palmeiras at 4/1 and Monterrey at 8/1.
Chelsea (1/7)
European clubs have dominated the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup for the last decade, so it’s no surprise seeing Chelsea priced as the top dogs to go all the way. Over the last few years, teams like Inter Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich won the trophy.
But while Chelsea is undeniably the top dog of the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup, Thomas Tuchel’s men likely won’t take the tournament too seriously, nor will they be able to, given the long list of injuries the Blues are dealing with.
Tuchel will be without Reece James, Andreas Christensen, and Ben Chilwell. Even though Chelsea has more than enough talent to fill in the gaps, it’s doubtful for the English Premier League to go all out and risk losing more players to win a title that is not as prestigious as it may sound.
Palmeiras (4/1)
The second-favourites to win the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup, Palmeiras, might be by far the second-strongest team at the tournaments, but they’re no pushovers. The Brazilian squad won the 2021 Copa Libertadores and have had a solid run in their domestic league.
The 10-time Campeonato Brasileiro Série A champions finished the 2021 Serie A season in 3rd place, with a 20-6-12 record and 66 points, 18 behind Atletico-MG. Although the White-Green surely hoped to finish the season stronger, many will underestimate what Palmeiras brings to the table and are the prime candidates to upset Chelsea.
Interestingly, Palmeiras is the only non-European team to win the FIFA Club World Cup since Internacional in 2006. What’s more, Palmeiras won the trophy in 2012 when they beat no other than Chelsea 1-0.
Monterrey (8/1)
The FIFA Club World Cup 2021 odds show the CONCACAF Champions League winner Monterrey as the third-favourites to claim the trophy. Although their chances to go all the way are slim, Monterrey had proven their worth in October when they won their 5th Champions League title in the last decade and should not be overlooked.
Interestingly, despite their success in the Champions League, Monterrey has struggled for domestic silverware over the same period – winning just one Apertura title, 2 Copa MXs, and one Clausura title. But while the domestic success was hard to come by, Monterrey has earned their right to compete in their 5th Club World Cup, where they’ll look to reach their first final.
It’s worth noting that Monterrey has previously done well at this tournament. They claimed bronze in 2012 and 2019 when they went out against Chelsea and Liverpool. Still, you can’t argue with the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup odds, which show them as clear underdogs, priced at 8/1.
Past Winners of the Competition (Last 5)
- 2020 – Bayern Munich
- 2019 – Liverpool
- 2018 – Real Madrid
- 2017 – Real Madrid
- 2016 – Real Madrid
Dates and Location of the Tournament
The FIFA Club World Cup 2021 will take place in the United Arab Emirates between February 3-12, 2022. The tournament will play out across 2 venues in Abu Dhabi, including Al Nahyan Stadium and the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Al Nahyan Stadium will host all lower bracket matches and fixtures for the 5th and 3rd place. Meanwhile, the upper-bracket games, including the grand finals, will occur at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Although not as popular as the UEFA Champions League or the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup 2021 will be available on all major sporting TV channels and all major online live-streaming platforms. So whether you prefer following the action on your TV or watching a live stream from your computer, you will have plenty of options.
2021 FIFA Club World Cup Predictions
With only 7 clubs attending the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup, and such a huge quality gap between the top favourites, dark horses, and the complete outsiders, there is only one team we would like to add to our list of 2021 FIFA Club World Cup betting tips.
Palmeiras to Win (4/1)
Priced at 4/1 to win the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup, Palmeiras offers excellent value and is undeniably a much smarter bet than Chelsea at 1/7. Admittedly, Chelsea should win since they’re a class above any other team in the tournament, but that does not guarantee success.
Not only will Chelsea likely take the tournament lightly, but they’re also without a few key players – and as noted above, it’s unlikely that Tuchel will want to use his best men to win a title that doesn’t hold much prestige. But unlike Chelsea, who won’t care too much if they lose the Club World Cup, Palmeiras will be hungry to prove what they can do.
It is one of the few international tournament titles Palmeiras can compete for and win, so the Brazilian squad will be motivated to step up and deliver. And besides that, it’s not like Palmeiras lacks the talent to make it happen, so we predict that Palmeiras will make at least the final – and from there, it’s anyone’s game.
Final Thoughts
With only one day separating us from the opening round of the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup, don’t wait up. Follow our 2021 FIFA Club World Cup predictions, visit the best football bookmakers, and place your bets!
Related articles
Man United Vs. Bayern Munich Betting Odds, Predictions & Winning Tips (UEFA Champions League 2023/24, December 12)
Snooker 2023 Scottish Open Predictions & Betting Odds (December 11-17)
