Things are getting exciting as the Club World Championship has reached the semifinals, and out of the original seven teams, we are down to the last 4. With only six days left before the final wraps up, things are more interesting than ever.
Now, we focus on the clash between Al Ahly and Fluminense at the King Abdullah Sports City field. The African and South American Champions want to make a statement.
One team will debut in this competition while the other is a veteran that wants to break a ‘curse.’
When:
Monday, December 18th at 1:00 PM ET at the King Abdullah Sport City
Moneyline odds:
Fluminense 1.85
Al Ahly 4.305
Draw Offs:
3.5
Where can I watch it?
Star+ and Paramount+
Why Bet on Fluminense?
On account of winning their first-ever Copa Libertadores title in the 2022-23 campaign (defeating Boca Juniors in 120 minutes of thrills, spills, and ill-discipline,) Fluminense will make their Club World Cup debut. However, Diniz’s side has a couple of wrongs to correct.
While the ‘Tricolor’ made history on the continent in the current calendar year, their domestic exploits left quite a bit to be desired. They could only muster a seventh-placed finish in the 2023 Brasileiro campaign, ending up 14 points worse off than champions Palmeiras.
Diniz’s troops have not warmed up for their Saudi Arabian sojourn in ideal fashion, though, as they ended their indifferent Brasileiro campaign with back-to-back defeats to Palmeiras and Grêmio. They lost 1-0 away to the champions before a 3-2 home beating at the hands of the latter.
The defeat to Palmeiras marked the only time in their last six matches that the ‘Tricolor’ failed to make the net bulge, though. Also, an 11-day rest period ought to do Diniz’s men the world of good against Al Ahly, whose exertions against Al-Ittihad were incredibly worthwhile.
Why Bet on Al Ahly?
Al Ahly (who have reigned supreme in Egyptian football since the late 1940s) booked a spot in the international competition for the ninth time by coming up trumps in the 2022-23 CAF Champions League.
Sweeping aside the continental opposition earned the Red Devils a second-round date with the free-spending Al-Ittihad, who deployed Fabinho, N’Golo Kante, and Karim Benzema in a menacing-looking XI. However, the Saudi Pro League champions’ financial superiority did not translate into on-field dominance.
Not even a late red card to Anthony Modeste could spoil the Egyptian party. However, the club led by Marcel Koller (once in charge of Austria) has never reached the Club World Cup final, taking home the bronze medal in the 2006, 2020, and 2021 editions.
Unbeaten in all tournaments since October, the Red Devils will be rewarded with a showpiece contest against Manchester City or Urawa Red Diamonds if they can break their semifinal duck on Monday. Otherwise, another unwanted third-place playoff awaits the 43-time Egyptian Premier League champions.
Free Betting Pick: Fluminense vs. Al Ahly
Kahraba’s enforced withdrawal against Al-Ittihad was not what the doctor ordered for Al Ahly. However, Koller’s side ought to head into Monday’s game without any sense of trepidation, after teaching Benzema and co. a footballing lesson on Friday.
Minimal recuperation time will hardly benefit the Egyptian champions against a Fluminense side brimming with international experience and match-winners, though. The well-rested Brazilian troops have our vote to advance to the final with a 2-1.
Go for a victory for the Libertadore’s champions at 1.85. If you bet $100 at such odds, you could get $85 for a total payout of $185.
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