Pep Guardiola’s side started rather slowly with a 2–0 win over Wydad Casablanca in their opening group game, but scored 11 times in their next two outings to win Group G at a canter. After thrashing Al Ain 6–0, City produced an outstanding performance to beat Juventus 5–2 on Matchday 3.
It was the sort of display that had many decrying the return of the sky blue juggernaut after a disappointing 2024–25 season, and City have emerged as the favourites to win this summer’s revamped competition.
The Premier League outfit have been heavily backed to advance into the last eight, but Al Hilal, under new manager Simone Inzaghi, have already drawn 1–1 with Real Madrid, and their 2–0 victory over Pachuca meant they qualified alongside the Spanish giants from Group H.
The winners of this tie will face either Inter or Fluminense in the quarterfinals.
The Cityzens were far too hot to handle on Matchday 3. / IMAGO/Sports Press Photo
Pep Guardiola has utilised much of his Club World Cup squad already, with Rodri making his first start since September in Man City’s battering of Juventus.
Their impressive display on Matchday 3 should convince the manager to retain a similar-looking starting lineup for this knockout fixture. However, Erling Haaland should come back in and start up top, while Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden have both offered glimpses of brilliance. The pair of creators featured off the bench last time out, with Pep opting for Jérémy Doku and Savinho to support Omar Marmoush.
Josko Gvardiol may also return to City’s backline and cover the forward surges of Rayan Aït-Nouri, who shone against Juve.
Man City Lineup vs. Al Hilal (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Aït-Nouri; Gonzalez, Gündoğan; Savinho, Foden, Doku; Haaland.
Aleksandar Mitrović will not play on Monday night. / IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire
Al Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari scored his fifth Club World Cup goal in the 2–0 victory over Pachuca in their final group game, but he will play no further role at this summer’s tournament due to a hamstring injury.
Mohamed Kanno replaced Al-Dawsari off the bench, and the midfielder-by-trade could deputise for the captain against the Cityzens with Inzaghi potentially shifting to a more conservative setup.
Striker Aleksandar Mitrović remains out injured amid rumours of a Premier League return, but other familiar names, including former Cityzen João Cancelo, are expected to start. Kalidou Koulibaly, Rúben Neves and Sergej Milinković-Savić have been mainstays for Inzaghi at the tournament so far.
Al Hilal Lineup vs. Man City (4-3-1-2): Bono; Cancelo, Tambakti, Koulibaly, Lodi; N. Al-Dawsari, Neves, Kanno; Milinković-Savić; Malcom, Leonardo.
