Prediction: Manchester City to win 4-0
Best Odds: 9/2
Manchester City and Al-Ain will lock horns with each other in the FIFA Club World Cup next week. The match between the Premier League club and the UAE Pro League outfit will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and is scheduled to kick off at 2am on Monday.
Manchester City
Manchester City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and have been hugely successful in the Premier League under manager Pep Guardiola. However, the Cityzens had a hugely disappointing 2024-25 season, as they needed to win against Fulham on the final day of the campaign to finish in the Premier League top five and also lost the final of the FA Cup to Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium in London.
The Cityzens are playing at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup because of their performance over a four-year period. During that time, Guardiola’s side won the Premier League title four years in a row and also clinched the UEFA Champions League.
Man City are among the clubs that are favourites to win the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. They will take on Wydad AC, Al-Ain and Juventus in Group G and are favourites to win the group and progress to the next stage of the competition.
Team News:
Manchester City are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Al-Ain. Ederson will be in goal for the Cityzens. Lewis, Khusanov, Gvardiol and Ait-Nouri will be the four defenders. Reijnders and Gonzalez will be the two players in holding midfield. Cherki, Foden and Doku will be deployed as the three attacking midfielders. Haaland will lead the line for Man City.
Al-Ain
Al-Ain are the biggest and most successful club in the UAE. Al Zaeem have won a record 14 UAE Pro League, 7 President’s Cups, 5 Super Cups, 3 Federation Cups, two League Cup, two Abu Dhabi Championship, Joint League, Gulf Club Champions Cup and two AFC Champions League and one Emirati-Moroccan Super Cup.
Vladimir Ivic’s side have qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup because they won the 2023-24 AFC Champions League. Al-Ain, though, ended up fifth in the UAE Pro League in the 2024-25 season.
Al-Ain are unlikely to do much of note at the FIFA Club World Cup. The Emirati club have been drawn with Manchester City, Wydad AFC and Juventus in Group G. Premier League club Manchester City and Serie A outfit Juventus are the two favourites to qualify for the knockout stages from the group.
Team News:
Al-Ain are likely to line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation against Juventus. Patricio will be in goal for the UAE Pro League club. Autonne, Park and Cardoso will be the three defenders. Traore, Nader, Palacios and Erik will be the four midfielders. Kaku will be deployed as the playmaker-in-chief, with Laba and Rahimi as the two centre-forwards.
Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester City have won 4 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
- Manchester City have lost 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
- Manchester City have drawn 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
- Al-Ain have won 4 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
- Al-Ain have drawn 2 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
Conclusion
While Al-Ain are a good team, Manchester City have one of the best squads at the FIFA Club World Cup and are one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is very likely that Pep Guardiola’s side will pick up all three points from the match with relative ease.
Prediction: Manchester City to win 4-0
Best Odds: 9/2
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
