Match for the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup group stage at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta.
Key Facts
- Manchester City have won three straight in all competitions.
- Before their 0-5 defeat to Juventus, Al Ain had been unbeaten in 7 games, keeping a clean sheet in their last 3.
- Six of Manchester City’s last seven games ended with under 2.5 goals.
- City scored first in 7 of their last 9 matches.
- 7 of Al Ain’s last 8 ended with BTTS: No.
Betting Tip: Manchester City vs Al Ain
There isn't much to discuss about this game; everything depends on how much effort Manchester City is willing to exert. If the English do what they do best, there is no chance they won’t earn an easy win. That result is offered at very low odds, so the combo with Over 3,5 Goals scored is much more appealing.
- Betting tip: Manchester City win + Over 3.5 Goals
- Odds: 1.87
- Stake: 5
Manchester City
No one quite doubted Manchester City would take care of business against Wydad. What was left to be decided was the final score. City ended up winning without overexerting themselves (2-0) to get three points that were expected, to say the least. They are called on to do the same against Al Ain.
There is no chance for the group to shake down in any other way apart from City and Juventus advancing as the top two teams. They are far superior to Wydad and Al Ain.
The quality difference is so vast that it is impossible for the games to be even relatively contested. We expect more of the same in this one, with a similar performance to that against Wydad, perhaps accompanied by more goals scored.
City mustered just 2 goals in 15 attempts and 6 big chances, a rather humble tally for a team of their quality. Pep Guardiola is expected to rotate his starting lineup once again, a sign of how the Manchester club is approaching the competition.
Al Ain
Al Ain were in for a rude awakening in the tournament, serving as a reminder that the level of competition is vastly different from that in the UAE. The teams they are facing in the US are several levels higher than any domestic competitor.
Case in point, Juventus left little room for Al Ain to breathe, battering them 5 -0. Al Ain might as well be out of the competition already, as there is no realistic chance they can get even a point from Manchester City.
Still, as was evident in the game against the Italians, the Emirati side tries to create opportunities in the opponents’ box, though unsuccessfully. They tallied 9 shots in the first game, none of which were particularly challenging for the goalkeeper.
Ilija Ivic and his players are all aware that this competition is more of an opportunity for experience at this stage, rather than a tournament at which they have any shot. They will simply try to play as well as possible and hope for the best.
