The Club World Cup`s knockout stage is set to continue on Monday in Orlando, as Manchester City take on Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in a bid to reach the quarter-finals.
Manchester City are considered strong favorites for this encounter, having demonstrated dominant form by finishing atop Group G with a perfect record of three victories from three matches. Their goal difference was impressive, scoring 13 times while conceding just two, including a notable 5-2 triumph against Juventus. This won`t be their initial match against an Asian opponent in the tournament; they previously defeated Al Ain of the UAE 6-0 during the group phase.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia`s Al-Hilal has advanced to the round of 16 as one of three non-European/South American teams in the knockout rounds and the sole representative from Asia. Their progression from Group H was secured with a single 2-0 victory over Pachuca of Mexico, complemented by draws against RB Salzburg and, notably, a surprising 1-1 result against Real Madrid. While the draw with Real Madrid might serve as inspiration, confronting Pep Guardiola`s Manchester City, who are currently in peak form, presents a significantly different and tougher challenge.
Previous Encounter
This upcoming match marks the first competitive fixture between Manchester City and Al-Hilal. Their only prior meeting was a pre-season friendly held in Innsbruck, Austria, in July 2012. Al-Hilal emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline in that game, where then-City boss Roberto Mancini heavily rotated his squad as part of their early preparations for the 2012-13 campaign.
Expected Lineups
Manchester City:
- Ederson
- Matheus Nunes
- Ruben Dias
- Manuel Akanji
- Rayan Ait-Nouri
- Bernardo Silva
- Rodri
- Tijjani Reijnders
- Savinho
- Jeremy Doku
- Erling Haaland
Al-Hilal:
- Yassine Bounou
- Joao Cancelo
- Hassan Al-Tombakti
- Kalidou Koulibaly
- Renan Lodi
- Ruben Neves
- Nasser Al-Dawsari
- Malcom
- Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
- Salem Aldawsari
- Marcos Leonardo
Key Player
Rodri, Manchester City: With several new signings arriving via the winter and pre-Club World Cup transfer windows, Pep Guardiola`s squad features many fresh faces. However, the return of Rodri is particularly welcomed by City supporters. The midfielder, a Ballon d`Or recipient, made his first start since suffering an ACL injury in September (which significantly impacted their season) during the 5-2 victory over Juventus on Thursday. The upcoming game against Al-Hilal provides another chance for him to regain full match sharpness. His ability to orchestrate play from deep will be crucial, especially as he links up with various attacking options Guardiola might field. While his partnership with Erling Haaland is established, interacting with potential newcomers like Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki could lead to dynamic attacking sequences initiated by Rodri`s renowned forward-thinking distribution.
Match Narrative
Is Manchester City the Frontrunner?: Following a demanding season without major domestic or continental silverware and a packed schedule, there was uncertainty surrounding Manchester City`s form heading into the Club World Cup. However, after three group matches, it`s evident the team successfully refreshed between their final Premier League game on May 25 and their tournament start on June 18. They were the only side to secure maximum points from all three group fixtures and topped the scoring charts with 13 goals. With Pep Guardiola utilizing the tournament to integrate new players and initiate squad adjustments, their momentum appears strong. The match against Al-Hilal on Monday is expected to reinforce their status as strong contenders, with their true challenge likely awaiting them in later stages.
Forecast
Manchester City benefits from the historical trend of European teams dominating opponents from other confederations, but their current exceptional form is the primary reason they are expected to be very difficult to overcome. Regardless of Pep Guardiola`s lineup choices, Manchester City is anticipated to comfortably secure victory and advance to the quarter-finals.
Prediction: Manchester City 3, Al-Hilal 0
