Top of the Props - Bayern to go Barmy, Attacking Achraf in America and Atletico’s Argentine Steel

The Club World Cup as we knew it is gone and has transformed into a glitzy mega tournament. Thirty two clubs from across the world will compete for the prestige of being the first winners of the new format - with over £750 million in prize money on the line too.

But whatever your thoughts on the tournament, there’s always some value to be had and we’ve taken a look at three picks with BetMGM that could give you the edge this week. 

Love football? Find the best football betting sites and bet with welcome bonuses today.

Michael Olise to assist for Bayern Munich vs Auckland City – 5/4 – BetMGM

As the only amateur club to qualify for the Club World Cup, Auckland City have a huge uphill battle on their hands in a group containing Benfica, Boca Juniors and Bayern Munich, all of whom have histories that dwarf that of the Kiwi club. 

Their last Club World Cup campaign saw them beaten 6-2 by Al Ain and so this opener against the German champions really could be any scoreline.

Bookies have Bayern in for a shedload of goals and if they’re to do so, Michael Olise is likely to be heavily involved. 

The Frenchman has contributed nearly double Bayern’s next player in terms of assists with 15 in the Bundesliga and would have landed this bet in each of his last five games for Vincent Kompany’s men. 

With his credentials and the lack in quality of the opposition, to be getting above even money for Olise to manage a single assist feels like a gift too good to pass up.  

Achraf Hakimi to have over 0.5 shots on target for PSG vs Atletico Madrid – 59/50 - BetMGM

Fresh off scoring the opener in PSG’s Champions League final triumph, Achraf Hakimi will arrive in California full of confidence, it's something we've discussed in our full breakdown of PSG vs Atletico Madrid and the permutations of the match. 

The Moroccan has long been regarded as one of the best attacking full backs in the world. His record of 0.73 shots on target per 90 for his club demonstrates his consistent threat in the final third. 

This bet would have landed in seven of his last 11 starts and in the Champions League he’s scored in three of his last four so a game against Atletico should hold no fear. 

Speaking of continental competitions, Atletico Madrid conceded an average of 4.7 efforts at goal per game against Europe’s elite this season. 

One of those games came against PSG where they gave up seven shots on target. Two of which came via Hakimi and so he has previous in this fixture and therefore looks a nice price to continue his shooting streak. 

Rodrigo De Paul over 1.5 tackles for Atletico Madrid vs PSG – Evens – BetMGM

If Atletico are to get off to a winning start against the newly crowned European champions, their defence are likely to do most of the heavy lifting. 

The Parisians drew 22.29 tackles per game in Europe this season and with the Spanish side averaging 19.6 per game themselves, it makes sense to side with one of their players for tackles. 

In the aforementioned previous meeting, Diego Simeone’s side made a massive 32 tackles and so we can expect them to be busy defensively again. 

In that previous head-to-head, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul made two tackles in just 60 minutes of action. His Champions League average of 2.28 per 90 suggests that he’s capable of doing so again. 

Across PSG’s last seven matches in all competitions, opposition central midfielders have been forced into making 34 tackles with nine separate players making at least two and with De Paul’s combative style, he’s a solid bet to add his name to that list. 

Odds correct at time of writing.

Previous selections

Achraf Hakimi over 1.5 shots – 21/20

(BetMGM)

With a reputation as one of the best attacking full backs in world football, Achraf Hakimi has enjoyed his Champions League campaign this season averaging 2.11 shots per 90 minutes and scoring three times in the process.

The Moroccan has managed at least two efforts in five of PSG’s last six games in European action and is often the most advanced option going forward due to the attacking freedom he’s given by Luis Enrique.

Love football? Find the best football betting sites and bet with welcome bonuses today.

Inter are renowned for their stubbornness in defence but in Europe’s top competition this season they have given up 15.29 shots per game.

Many of those matches were against smaller sides in the group stages, however when facing Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the previous two rounds, they conceded at least 19 shots in each game suggesting that Hakimi and PSG will get plenty of opportunities to pull the trigger.

Ousmane Dembele to score or assist – 6/5

(BetMGM)

Ousmane Dembele has had a break-out season in the French capital, contributing 44 goal involvements in 48 matches in all competition to show that he is ready to take on the mantle of being the Parisian club’s talisman.

In the Champions League, his record reads eight goals and four assists in 14 matches and having landed this bet in each of his last five appearances in the competition, he’s proving to be a man for the big occasion. 

READ: The Weekly Acca: Champions League final features in our four-fold

Inter arrive in Munich as the underdogs and having conceded 10 goals in their last five Champions League matches, we can expect PSG to get on the scoresheet.

In the previous round against Barcelona, they struggled to contain the tournament’s top goalscorer Raphinha who was afforded a goal contribution in each leg of the semi-final and so despite Dembele’s reputation as PSG’s dangerman, the Italian club may still find it difficult to stop him.  

Hakan Calhanoglu over 1.5 shots – 19/10

(BetMGM)

As underdogs on the night, Inter Milan will need Hakan Calhanoglu to come to the fore if they’re to cause an upset on Saturday night.

The Turk is known for his long-range shooting and his average of 2.36 shots per 90 in Champions League emphasises how happy he is to pull the trigger from anywhere.

He’s had at least two shots in eight of his 10 starts in the competition and also takes free-kicks and penalties and so should get plenty of chances to shoot.

In each of the three previous rounds of the competition, PSG have given up at least 17 shots which suggests that Inter can get some joy going forward.

Across their last four matches in Champions League action they’ve allowed opposition central midfielders to have 10 shots between them and with Calhanoglu needing no invitation to shoot, he looks a fantastic price to try his luck a couple of times.

Responsible gambling with FIRST

You must be 18+ to gamble. Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Our tips and advice help you enjoy gambling, but there is always a chance a bet or casino game can lose.

Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Stop betting if you are angry, emotional or under the influence of alcohol.

Warning signs of problem gambling: chasing losses, betting money needed for bills, or feeling unable to stop.

Need help? Visit our responsible sports betting page or our responsible casino gambling page, or contact the support organisations listed below if you're struggling to control your gambling:

Gamblers Anonymous UK

BeGambleAware

GAMSTOP

National Gambling Support Network

Gamcare

NHS National Gambling Clinic