Levi Rothermund
Hertha Berlin and Mamelodi Sundowns meet on 21 July 2026 in what is a genuinely unusual pre-season pairing. Stefan Leitl’s side has been one of the most impressive teams in the July friendly standings, sitting 85th overall but having played just three games and winning all three with a combined score of 15-3. Sundowns, coached by Miguel Cardoso, carry significantly more pedigree into this one. Ranked 68th in the world compared to Hertha’s 347th, the South African giants are a different class on paper and have been active throughout the summer window.
Keep an eye on Sundowns’ forward line in this one. Their attacking output across recent games has been relentless, and their ability to press high and punish transitions makes them a constant threat. For Hertha, the player to watch is whoever Leitl tasks with controlling the tempo in midfield, as their recent wins have been built on structured play and clinical finishing rather than flair.
Hot stat: Mamelodi Sundowns put seven goals past Siwelele in their most recent outing before their last few fixtures, and they beat RB Leipzig 3-1 in a notable scalp earlier in July. Their attacking form across this pre-season has been consistently sharp.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Club Friendly 2026, July Phase |
| 🗓️ Date: | 21.07.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 17:00 CEST |
Hertha Berlin vs Mamelodi Sundowns Prediction
Mamelodi Sundowns are the clear pick here. The world ranking gap between these two sides is substantial, and Sundowns have shown throughout this pre-season that they are in strong form. Their 3-1 win over RB Leipzig is the standout result of the summer in this competition, and it shows they are not treating these games as low-intensity warmups.
Hertha have been efficient in their three friendly wins, but the opposition quality has been modest at best. Tirol, Lokomotive Leipzig, and Lichtenberg are all lower-tier sides. Sundowns represent a significant step up in quality, and the transition from beating those opponents to competing with a well-organised, physically strong South African side will be a real test for Leitl’s squad.
Hertha’s recent form within the last 30 days shows three wins from three, giving them a clean slate. Sundowns, on the other hand, have five recorded matches from earlier in the summer, with a mixed but generally positive record. Their loss to TS Galaxy 2-3 is the only real blemish, and it came against a side that had some unpredictable recent form. We think Sundowns will manage this game professionally and come away with the win.
- Best bet: Mamelodi Sundowns to win
- Value pick: Over 2.5 goals
- Both teams to score: Yes
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Mamelodi Sundowns to win & over 2.5 goals |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Hertha Berlin have made a strong start to pre-season, winning all three July friendlies. Their most recent match was a 3-2 win over Tirol on 17 July, a close result that suggests the squad is still finding its footing against more organised opposition. Before that, they beat Lokomotive Leipzig 3-1 and hammered Lichtenberg 9-0. That 9-0 result inflates the overall goal tally, but the wins against Tirol and Lokomotive Leipzig are more telling. Hertha can score, but they also conceded twice against Tirol, which shows some defensive vulnerability. Earlier in the year, they suffered a heavy 1-6 defeat to Arminia Bielefeld, a result that underlines the gap between their form in the last 30 days and their wider 2026 record of nine wins from 22 matches.
Mamelodi Sundowns have had a busier and more varied pre-season. Their most recent recorded match was a 3-1 win over RB Leipzig on 24 June, a genuinely impressive result against a Bundesliga-level side. Before that, they drew twice with FAR Rabat, beat Siwelele 7-4, and lost 2-3 to TS Galaxy. The Galaxy loss is the only concern, but it came against a side with some erratic recent form. Sundowns’ overall 2026 record of 20 wins from 30 games and a 67% winrate is the strongest indicator of their quality. They are consistent, they score freely, and they have proven they can beat quality opposition.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
There is no recorded head-to-head history between Hertha Berlin and Mamelodi Sundowns available in our database.
🚨Check out our dedicated Hertha Berlin vs Mamelodi Sundowns stats page for more info.
Hertha Berlin. Source: Official Website
Pre-game odds and win probability: Mamelodi Sundowns the favourite
No bookmaker odds are available for this match at the time of writing. Based on the available data, we assess Mamelodi Sundowns as clear favourites given their world ranking advantage, stronger 2026 record, and the quality of opposition they have already faced and beaten this pre-season. Hertha Berlin are improving but are facing a significant step up in class here.
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Mamelodi Sundowns. Source: Official Website
TipsGG Match Prediction
We back Mamelodi Sundowns to win this friendly. The world ranking gap is too large to ignore, and Sundowns have already beaten a Bundesliga-calibre side in RB Leipzig this summer. Hertha’s three wins are encouraging, but the quality of opposition they faced was modest. Sundowns press hard, attack with numbers, and have the squad depth to control a game like this from start to finish.
We also think goals are likely from both sides. Hertha scored in every game this pre-season, even in the 9-0 win where they clearly had the game in hand early. Sundowns conceded four goals to Siwelele and three to TS Galaxy, so their defensive organisation in friendlies can be inconsistent. Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score feels like the right frame for this one. Honestly, the Sundowns win combined with goals at both ends is the bet we would build around here.
