Pachuca vs Red Bull Salzburg Predictions

• Pachuca have won only one of their last five league matches
• Salzburg lost seven of their eight matches in this season’s Champions League
• Four of Pachuca’s last six matches have gone under 2.5 goals

Defences look set to dominate

This looks a must-win fixture for both sides given that they have fixtures with Real Madrid and Al Hilal still to come and that could lead to a cagey contest with goals set to be in short supply.

Being an European outfit, Salzburg start as favourites but they could finish only second to Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga and they were completely outclassed in the Champions League, losing seven of their eight matches.

Salzburg failed to score in five of those seven European defeats and they inherit an inexperienced squad that may take time to adapt to conditions and the occasion.

Winners of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, Mexican side Pachuca are the opponents, but they had an underwhelming domestic campaign as they could finish only eighth.

Lack of attacking quality Pachuca’s problem

They have appointed a new manager in former Mexico coach Jaime Lozano but are still relying on veteran forward Solomon Rondon to provide their attacking sparkle..

Four of Pachuca’s last six matches have gone under 2.5 goals while nine of Salzburg’s last 16 matches in all competitions have also featured two or fewer goals.

Correct-score punters should opt for a 1-1 draw, especially as Pachuca have played out three draws in their last six matches.