Locked together on four points in Group H, RB Salzburg and Real Madrid face off at the Club World Cup on Friday morning.
That means this Lumen Field showdown will see the two teams engage in a straight shootout for first place in the group, which would set up a last 16 showdown with either Juventus or Man City.
Five-time winners Real Madrid got up and running at the second attempt after surviving an early red card to defeat Pachuca 3-1 on Sunday night.
Xabi Alonso will be hoping that victory will act as a springboard for further success when his side look to take section honours by overcoming RB Salzburg.
The Austrian outfit kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 win over Pachuca before playing out a goalless draw with Al-Hilal.
With the Saudi heavyweights breathing down their necks ahead of matchday three, RB Salzburg may have to take points off Real Madrid if they are to extend their stay at the Club World Cup.
How the bookies view it: Real Madrid to march on
The bookmakers expect Real Madrid to wrap up top spot in Group H, with the Spanish heavyweights firm 1/4 favourites on Boylesports. Backing Los Blancos to win alongside Under 4.5 Goals for the second game in succession will bolster the odds to a much more attractive price of 10/11 (Boylesports).
RB Salzburg are as big as 15/2 (Boylesports) to emerge from this contest victorious while a share of the spoils is also considered unlikely at 9/2 with the same firm.
Head to head: Real seeking repeat
Real Madrid and RB Salzburg crossed paths during the league phase of the Champions League back in January, with the La Liga side running out comfortable 5-1 winners. That was the first-ever competitive fixture between the pair, with the only other meeting a pre-season friendly back in 2019, with Real Madrid claiming a 1-0 win on that occasion.
Players to watch: Valverde offers value
Federico Valverde was deployed in a more advanced role on matchday two and ended up getting himself on the scoresheet. Thus, the Real Madrid stalwart holds plenty of appeal to register a minimum of one shot on target during this contest at 29/20 on UniBet.
RB Salzburg have one of the hottest prospects in Europe in the shape of Oscar Gloukh. The Israel international – who scored on matchday one – is an eye-catching 4/1 (Boylesports) anytime goalscorer option here.
Predicted line-ups
Christian Zawieschitzky could continue to deputise in goal for RB Salzburg, as first-choice goalkeeper Alexander Schlager has missed the opening two games of the tournament due to a hand injury.
Real Madrid boss Alonso will have to make at least one change after Raul Asencio was sent off against Pachuca, so Antonio Rudiger is likely to come back into the starting XI. As for Kylian Mbappe, he looks set to miss out again after being hospitalised last week due to illness.
RB Salzburg: Zawieschitzky; Lainer, Gadou, Rasmussen, Kratzig; Bidstrup, Diabate; Nene, Gloukh; Baidoo, Onisiwo
Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, F Garcia; Guler, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Valverde, G Garcia, Vinicius Junior
Anything else catch the eye?
The 10/11 that can be found in Bet 365’s Goal Range market for this showdown to feature between one and three goals looks well worthy of support.
This bet would have paid out in RB Salzburg's opening match of the tournament with Pachuca.
What’s more, the same selection would have also proven profitable in Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal last week.
GambleAware