Fluminense vs Al-Hilal Preview

The first iteration of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup has already thrown up some unlikely matches, but none more so than this - Saudi Pro League runners-up Al-Hilal face middling Brazilian side Fluminense for a spot in the last four of the competition.

Both sides had to overcome former European champions in the last 16 to reach this stage - Fluminense managed a gritty 2-0 win over this year's losing finalists Inter Milan, before just hours later Al-Hilal outscored Pep Guardiola’s Man City side in a 4-3 thriller that went to extra time.

As this fascinating clash of styles approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Where to Watch

This game will be available to watch on DAZN and Channel 5, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm GMT on Friday.

Key Statistics

• Both sides are on impressive unbeaten streaks - Al-Hilal have avoided defeat in their last 9, while Fluminense have emerged unscathed from their last 10.
• Of all the sides to have played four times at the competition so far, only PSG have conceded fewer goals (1) than Fluminense (2).
• Both sides had an almost identical record in the group stages, winning one, drawing two, and boasting a goal difference of +2.
• This is the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides.

Fluminense Preview

Fluminense Predicted Lineup (3-4-1-2): Fabio (GK); Juan Freytes, Thiago Silva, Ignacio; Rene, Facundo Bernal, Martinelli, Samuel Xavier; Nonato; German Cano, Jhon Arias.

Arguably THE surprise package of the competition so far, Fluminense gained plenty of fans for the undefeated performance in the group stages, which saw them face Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan FC and Mamelodi Sundowns. However, few predicted that they would emerge from their round of 16 clash on the winning side.

But as a Brazilian side, they are much more accustomed to the outrageously hot conditions the tournament is being held in, and though faced with the losing Champions League finalists in Inter Milan, their winning position never looked in question after German Cano gave his side the lead after three minutes.

A team built upon vast experience - the main contributors to this being 40-year-old former European champion Thiago Silva and 44-year-old shot stopper Fabian - Fluminense have an air of composure about them. Even when faced with the tallest of tasks and the toughest of opposition, they strike you as the sort of side that will never deviate from the plan, no matter how unlikely it is to succeed.

Al-Hilal Preview

Al-Hilal Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Yassine Bounou (GK); Renan Lodi, Motel Al-Harbi, Kalidou Koulibaly, Joao Cancelo; Nasser Al-Dawsari, Ruben Neves; Malcolm, Sergej Milinjovic-Savic, Mohamed Kanno; Marcos Leondardo.

Similarly to Fluminense, the Saudi side are well adapted to playing in excessively warm conditions, and this paid enormous dividends on Monday night, as they dispatched of the 2023 European champions Manchester City.

And it was not as if the English side were playing a weakened eleven: Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Gundogan, Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Ederson and even new signing Tijjani Reijnders started the game, and yet could not find the killer blow against an Al-Hilal side made up of former European stalwarts.

Of course, the Saudi funded Al-Hilal has been able to afford some excellent talent themselves in recent years - Aleksander Mitrovic, Ruben Neves and Milinkovic-Savic to name but a few - but to beat an established European winner in the aggressive exciting manner that they did takes some doing, and they should be rightly proud of the efforts to reach the quarter-finals.

Fluminense vs Al-Hilal Betting Tip

This is a game that no one saw coming, and as a result, it is the trickiest quarter final clash to predict. Both sides have been mightily impressive regardless of opposition, and on paper appear closely matched.

Al-Hilal have a marginally more potent attack, but Fluminense have managed four clean sheets in their last five. Our experts have decided that the best tip for this fixture is to back both teams to score and Al-Hilal to win.

Odds of 3.22 on Highbet mean that a £10 stake will return £32.20 should the bet come off.

Fluminense vs Al-Hilal Prediction

Fluminense 1-2 Al-Hilal

While Fluminense have been sturdy at the back throughout the tournament and beyond, Al-Hilal boast the element of surprise. With the Brazilian's having never played a Saudi side before, Al-Hilal’s high intensity approach should see them over the line, although it will prove a test to break down their experienced back line.