Real Madrid mean business at the Club World Cup but if they're to lift the trophy the Spanish giants will need to do it the hard way, starting with this quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund.
The Bernabeu giants headed into this tournament amid a background of upheaval, with Xabi Alonso replacing Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout and new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen thrown into a rejigged defence.
They then suffered a blow when star striker Kylian Mbappe ended up in hospital with gastroenteritis, forcing him to miss all three group games.
But Real Madrid still managed to top their section then dug deep to grind out a 1-0 win over Juventus in the last 16, disappointing the Betting Desk after they had tipped goals at both ends.
They now stand three games from glory but it won't be easy, with PSG or Bayern Munich awaiting in the semis if they can get past Dortmund.
The Germans topped Group B ahead of Brazilian side Fluminense and that handed them a kinder draw in the last 16 against Monterrey.
Slips Tips bet against goals in that clash but Serhou Guirassy hit a first-half double for Dortmund and the Mexicans could only muster a late consolation to make it a 2-1 loss.
How the bookies view it: Real on a roll
Real Madrid have been pretty impressive at the Club World Cup and BoyleSports make them 3/10 favourites to reach the semis, with the odds only increasing to 8/13 for a win inside 90 minutes. Dortmund are 11/5 to go through and 15/4 to get the job done in normal time. The draw at 90 minutes pays 3/1.
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Recent head to head: Dortmund under the cosh
Real Madrid have dominated this fixture of late, going six games without defeat against Dortmund. The last four games have ended in victories, including a 5-2 Bernabeu win in this season's Champions League.
Players to watch: Gonzalo's in the groove
Although Mbappe came off the bench against Juve, he looked understandably sluggish, so I'd imagine youngster Gonzalo Garcia will start again up front. His headed winner against the Italians made it three goals in four games and he's 11/8 for another goal at BoyleSports.
Dortmund's main man Guirassy exploded into life with that double against Monterrey and his confidence will be up. He's 7/4 to grab another goal in the quarter-final.
Probable line-ups
We won't get a battle of the Bellinghams as Dortmund midfielder Jobe picked up his second yellow card of the tournament against Monterrey. Jamie Gittens is unlikely to feature either as he closes in on a move to Chelsea. Real have no fresh injuries or suspensions.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, F Garcia, Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Guler, G Garcia, Vinicius Junior.
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Sule, Anton, Bensebaini, Ryerson, Nmecha, Gross, Svensson, Brandt, Adeyemi, Guirassy.
Anything else catch the eye?
Dortmund went toe-to-toe with Real Madrid in the Champions League earlier this season and it made for a seven-goal thriller. But that was under former boss Nuri Sahim and successor Niko Kovac is unlikely to be so gung-ho.
That could make this game a bit more cagey so I like the 10/11 on offer at BoyleSports for most goals to come in the second half. That was the case in the last meeting, with Dortmund 2-0 up at half-time before collapsing in the Bernabeu cauldron.
Borussia's wing-backs face a tough shift in this one and it could pay to back them in the fouls market. Julian Ryerson is just 5/6 at Bet365 for over 1.5 fouls on the right but the odds increase to 13/8 for Daniel Svensson on the opposite flank.
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