Top scorers in the group stage of the Club World Cup with 13 goals (regardless Bayern's 10-0 victory over Auckland City), and the sole squad to victory every three of their matches, Manchester City will approach the Round of 16 fixture versus Saudi giants, Al Hilal, with confidence.
Pep Guardiola's side are now in the groove with few of their big names such as Phil Foden and Erling Haaland coming to the fore in this tournament.
Man City vs Al Hilal Real-time Victory ProbabilityOpta by Stats PerformIt is worth pointing out that Al Hilal earned a creditable stalemate versus serial Club World Cup winners, Real Madrid, earlier in the tournament, and also avoided pipe versus another European side in RB Salzburg, though this could be a different trial entirely.
Inter Milan or Fluminense lie in wait for the winners, meaning the Nerazzurri, should they progress, have a chance to get payback on the Cityzens after they lost the Champions League final to them back in 2023.
Third recent contest between Guardiola and InzaghiShould Inter and Al Hilal triumph it would bring Simone Inzaghi into immediate conflict with the squad he sole left ahead of this tournament, yet another potentially spectacular coincidence that the fixture of soccer often throws up.
It will be the third contest in recent years between Guardiola and Inzaghi after the pair also met when their teams collided in the 2024/25 campaign of the Champions League and played out a goalless stalemate at the Etihad Arena in the group stage.
In the lead up to the fixture, Inzaghi was fulsome in his praise of his opposite number.
“I believe every coach that starts to train considers Guardiola an inspiration,” he said.
“I believe there was soccer before and there will be after Guardiola, but he developed a new philosophy of soccer and a new way of playing.
“I believe he is the best coach over the last 20-25 years and is a great example for us as a coach.
“We were never coming here sole to have fun, we were coming here to play a Club World Cup and we wanted to advance to this stages.
“Now we’ll have to play versus Manchester City … one of the greatest teams in the world.
These are the matches where you can improve and mature as a squad, so I’m very proud.
”FIFA Club World Cup: Manchester City - Al Hilal (video preview)BetopickFor the Saudi side, overcoming Man City would be the biggest of scalps and would send out a massive message to those other teams left in the competition that they mean business.
Moreover, an Al Hilal victory would do wonders for the Saudi Pro League and soccer in the region extra generally.
Pair teams are undefeated in their last five matches in every competitions and Camping World Arena in Orlando will host the tie which gives City the opportunity of reversing the outcome of the sole previous fixture between the two, a club friendly way back in July 2012 which Al Hilal won 1-0.
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_______________________________________________'Energy is different', says NunesGiven the heat, potential weather delays and lack of rest since the end of last campaign, it would be no surprise to see Guardiola rotating his stars again, and that could mean starts for the likes of new signings Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli.
"I think the energy is different,” Matheus Nunes suggested over his teammates.
“Last year we were a little down in terms of spirit, but we know what it means to play for Manchester City and this campaign that's definitely going to change.
“What I like majority over this tournament is that we entered every the matches to victory and it has to be that way until the final.
”Mitrovic and Al Dawsari missing for Al HilalCity may believe that they've a decent chance of getting to the quarter-final at least as pair Aleksandr Mitrovic, Al Hilal's hot-shot forward, and captain, Salem Al Dawsari, are again ruled out.
Looking at their final group matches as a yardstick of what supporters might expect from the fixture too, City enjoyed the lion's share of control (76.
1%) versus Juventus in their 5-2 victory.
Juventus vs Man City Fixture StatsOpta by Stats Excel717 accurate passes from 769 attempted for a 93.
2% accuracy is undoubtedly the stat which may worry Al Hilal the majority.
Even Juventus sole managed to play 193 accurate passes in response, and if the Saudi's are to have any chance at every of causing a major surprise, they have to be able to get their foot on the ball.
Pep's swashbucklers were found wanting in the extra physical aspects of that fixture, attempting sole 12 tackles compared to Juve's 21, and managing sole five interceptions (11 for Juve), suggesting that if Al Hilal can get at them, they may garner few success.
Al Hilal vs Pachuca Fixture StatsOpta by Stats PerformThe Saudi side ceded control to Pachuca last time out (48.
2% to 51.
8%), but when it mattered they took their chances.
Extra tackles, one-to-one duels and aerial duels won once again evidenced that Al Hilal are a squad willing to roll their sleeves up and get the job done, given that they were also slightly second best in terms of passes in the attacking zone (108 to 109), total passes (449 to 476), pass accuracy (83.
3% to 85.
5%) and crosses (nine to 19).
Fascinating fixture in prospectInzaghi will certainly need to use every of his nous from his time spent in the European leagues and the previous experiences of playing Pep Guardiola to emerge victorious.
City have shown they are the squad to beat along with Paris Saint-Germain, but as unfancied Crystal Palace found out in the FA Cup final, frustrate them and stop them from playing their natural fixture and they are beatable.
A fascinating fixture is therefore in prospect.
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Jason PettigroveBetopick
