- Al Hilal are still in the hunt for a top-two finish in Group H
- RB Salzburg and Real Madrid, who both have four points from two matches, meet in Philadelphia

Real Madrid were expected to cruise through Group H of the FIFA Club World Cup but the five-time winners have not had things all their own way.

After a 1-1 draw with Al Hilal on matchday one, Xabi Alonso's men had to dig deep in their 3-1 victory over Pachuca as Real Madrid centre-back Raul Asencio was sent off inside the first 10 minutes.

Mexican contenders Pachuca cannot qualify, having also lost to RB Salzburg on matchday one, and Al Hilal need to win to give themselves a chance of making the last 16.

Simone Inzaghi's side are two points behind Real and Salzburg so if Al Hilal win and the Real-Salzburg game does not finish in a draw then the Saudis will progress to the knockout stages.

Al Hilal vs Pachuca (Friday, 2am)

Pachuca scored in their defeats to RB Salzburg and Real Madrid and that trend may continue in their final Group H game against Al Hilal.

The Mexicans competed well against Salzburg but failed to capitalise on Real being reduced to 10 men in the seventh minute.

They face a motivated Al Hilal side making a solid start to life under new boss Inzaghi, who led Inter to the Champions League final.

He has inherited a squad packed with top-class players including Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves, who equalised from the penalty spot against Real.

Al Hilal's experienced defence features centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and full-backs Joao Cancelo and Renan Lodi while goalkeeper Bono starred in Morocco's run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.

They were the top scorers in the Saudi Pro League, racking up 95 goals in 34 games, and can claim a vital victory over eliminated Pachuca.

Score prediction: Al Hilal 2-1 Pachuca

RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid (Friday, 2am)

Real Madrid hammered RB Salzburg 5-1 when the teams met at the Bernabeu in the Champions League in January and they should avoid a slip-up in Philadelphia.

Despite Kylian Mbappe's illness, Federico Valverde's missed penalty against Al Hilal and Asencio's early dismissal against Pachuca, Real remain on course to top Group H.

Antonio Rudiger is a rock-solid replacement for the suspended Asencio but Salzburg may be able to get on the scoresheet, as Al Hilal and Pachuca managed against Real.

Alonso is expected to be without star forward Mbappe as well as defenders Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eder Militao.

However, an attacking unit that includes Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and 21-year-old striker Gonzalo Garcia should prove too sharp for Salzburg.

The Austrians gave up plenty of chances in their 0-0 draw with Al Hilal on matchday two and nine of their previous 10 matches had featured goals at both ends.

Their dismal Champions League campaign ended with heavy defeats to Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen (5-0), Paris Saint-Germain (3-0), Real (5-1) and Atletico Madrid (4-1).

Real beat Pachuca 3-1 last time out and they could seal top spot in the group with a victory by the same scoreline.

Score prediction: RB Salzburg 1-3 Real Madrid