International Champions Cup 2013 Bracket: Predictions for Upcoming Rounds

A.C. Milan has already booked a spot in the second round of the 2013 International Champions Cup after knocking off Valencia in Spain last weekend, but there's still a number of matches to be played this summer before a champion is crowned.

For those unfamiliar, the 2013 ICC is a two-week-long exhibition tournament pitting eight of the world's most high-profile club teams against one another. 

Real Madrid, Chelsea and Juventus are three of the top contenders this summer, but Inter Milan, Everton and the Los Angeles Galaxy are also in the mix.

With the opening round set to conclude in the coming days and the semifinals scheduled for this weekend, let's look ahead with some bold predictions for the remaining matches. 

*Click here to view the full bracket, courtesy of the tournament's official site. 

Chelsea, Juventus and Real Madrid Will Join A.C. Milan in Semifinals

A.C. Milan will take on the winner of Chelsea vs. Inter Milan Sunday in New York, and based on how far Inter has fallen in recent seasons, you've got to love Chelsea's chances to win this matchup.

The Blues haven't added a big name yet this summer, but most of the team's core is still intact, and promising young players like Marco van Ginkel and Andre Schurrle give Jose Mourinho's club an added punch on the break.

Meanwhile in the first of Thursday's two first-round showdowns, look for Juventus to down Everton. The Toffees definitely have talent, with Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini highlighting the best that the starting XI has to offer. But the Italian champions have more skill across the board with Gianluigi Buffon in goal and players like Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo operating on the attack.

Finally, Real Madrid looks poised to earn a berth in the semifinals with a win over the reigning MLS champion L.A. Galaxy. L.A. will have an obvious advantage playing in Phoenix, but the game is won on the pitch, where Real will have a distinct advantage. 

Real Madrid, Chelsea Advance to Final

Real Madrid and Chelsea should each get the better of their semifinal opponents this weekend. Mourinho's squad has looked brilliant at times this summer, dominating its preseason tour of Asia. 

Meanwhile, A.C. Milan was lucky to get past Valencia in the first round, having been severely outplayed by the home team in the second half of its 2-1 victory.

In the other semifinal, Real Madrid should prove too tough for Juventus, eliminating another domestic league champion en route to the tournament final. Sure, the Italian giants are loaded with big names and talented playmakers, but getting past Iker Casillas and Real's defense will be much easier said than done.

As a superstar and a former World Player of the Year, I expect Cristiano Ronaldo to be the difference in a matchup like this, one pitting two elite clubs against one another. 

Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid Lift ICC Crown

Real Madrid finished second in La Liga, fell short of its bid to win the UEFA Champions League and came up small in the Copa del Rey final last spring. But this summer the Spanish powerhouse will finally raise another trophy, beating Chelsea to win the Champions Cup in Miami.

While the Blues may be a contender in the Premier League this coming season, they don't possess the firepower to outscore Real Madrid in a wide open exhibition match.

In the end, Ronaldo is by far the biggest name that will be on display this summer, and Real Madrid is arguably the top club taking part in the International Champions Cup. Therefore, Los Blancos must be considered the team to beat.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.