Fluminense vs Al Hilal: Preview & Score Prediction
Kick-off is at 8 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1), and fans can catch the action live for free on the DAZN website and app.
Fluminense, fresh off dumping Inter Milan out, are brimming with belief. Renato Gaúcho's men gave the Italians a tactical slap, scoring early through Germán Cano and finishing them off late via Hércules. They've now gone 10 matches unbeaten and haven't conceded a second-half goal all tournament – a stat that'll force Al Hilal's forwards to take notes.
The Brazilians will be without left-back Renê due to suspension, with Gabriel Fuentes likely stepping in. Midfielder Martinelli took a knock but should be fit enough to partner Hércules in the engine room.
On the other side, Al Hilal are still buzzing from the match of the competition so far: a 4–3 thriller that saw them take out Manchester City. Despite having about 10% of the ball and facing 30 shots, Simone Inzaghi's men stunned Pep Guardiola's side in extra time, with Marcos Leonardo stealing the headlines and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou doing his best Spider-Man impersonation in goal.
Both Mitrović and Al-Dawsari are out, but it hasn't stopped Inzaghi's men one bit. Marcos Leonardo has stepped up in style, and the midfield duo of Rúben Neves and Sergej Milinković-Savić are bossing the tempo. The defense, led by Koulibaly, Cancelo, and Lodi, is stacked with European experience. And there's Bounou — the brick wall.
The new loanee Abderazzak Hamdallah has joined his teammates in the training camp and is expected to make a cameo appearance for the Blue Wave.. The Moroccan striker has been a proven goalscorer in the Saudi League with Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, and Al-Shabab.
Al Hilal won't panic if they go behind. They soaked up City's pressure and hit back with fast counters. Expect more of the same here.
Predicted Lineups:
Fluminense (4-2-3-1): Fabio; Xavier, Thiago Silva, Freytes, Fuentes; Martinelli, Hércules; Arias, Nonato, Canobbio; Cano
Al-Hilal (4-2-3-1): Bounou; Cancelo, Koulibaly, Al-Harbi, Lodi; N. Al-Dawsari, Neves, Kanno; Milinković-Savić; Malcom, Leonardo
Score Prediction:
Fluminense will create chances — but Al Hilal look sharper and more clinical when it matters. Inzaghi's men have already taken down one giant, and they'll fancy their chances one more time against the Brazilians.
MWN says Fluminense 1–2 Al Hilal Tags: Al HilalClub World CupFluminense
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