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Both teams have already secured a place in the knockout stages, but there’s still plenty at stake as they battle to finish top of the group. Juventus currently have the edge thanks to more goals scored across their two opening matches.
The Italian side has made a strong impression in their debut Club World Cup campaign, starting off with a dominant win over Al-Ain before beating Wydad AC 4-1 in Philadelphia. Rising star Kenan Yildiz has been the standout performer so far, scoring in both matches including a brace against Wydad. He was unlucky not to complete a hat-trick, with one of Juve’s early goals credited as an own goal by Abdelmounaim Boutouil.
It’s been a tough domestic season for Juventus as they drew 16 times in Serie A, more than any other team, but under Igor Tudor, they’re making the most of their fresh start in this expanded Club World Cup. With nine goals scored to Man City’s eight, Juve sit just ahead in the group standings and only need a draw on Thursday to lock in first place.
They’ll be confident heading into the game. Juventus are unbeaten in their last seven matches with five wins and two draws and have won their last three meetings against City, including a 2-0 victory in the Champions League last December.
As for City, the defending Club World Cup champions made light work of Wydad in their opener with a 2-0 win, and then smashed Al-Ain 6-0 in Atlanta. Ilkay Gündogan, whose future with the club remains uncertain, scored twice, while Erling Haaland, Oscar Bobb, Claudio Echeverri, and new signing Rayan Cherki also found the net.
Despite the comfortable win, Pep Guardiola was frustrated that his team didn’t score a seventh goal, which could have given City a slight advantage over Juventus in the goal-difference battle. Now, they must win on Thursday to finish top of the group and avoid a tricky last-16 clash with Real Madrid, a team they’ve faced in each of the past four Champions League campaigns.
City are in solid form, having lost just once in their last 15 matches across all competitions with 11 wins and three draws. That lone defeat came in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. But their record against Juve isn’t great. They’ve only beaten the Italian side once in seven competitive meetings, and that was back in 1976 in the UEFA Cup.
All signs point to a thrilling match between two European heavyweights fighting for more than just pride in Orlando.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Juventus will be without four key players for their final group game at the Club World Cup. Mattia Perin is sidelined with a hand injury, while Juan Cabal and Bremer are both recovering from knee issues. Arkadiusz Milik is also unavailable as he continues to rehab a muscle injury.There’s better news for captain Manuel Locatelli, who returned from an ankle problem to come off the bench in the win over Wydad. He’s now in the mix to start, although head coach Igor Tudor may choose to stick with Weston McKennie and Khephren Thuram in midfield after their solid performances.
Tudor might even go with the same starting eleven for the third straight game. Andrea Cambiaso and Alberto Costa are expected to provide width in the wing-back roles, while the in-form Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceição will likely support Randal Kolo Muani in attack.
On the Manchester City side, Rico Lewis remains suspended after receiving a controversial red card in the opening match against Wydad. He’s now serving an extended two-match ban. Claudio Echeverri is a doubt after picking up a twisted ankle and being substituted at halftime against Al-Ain.
Mateo Kovacic is still recovering from Achilles surgery, but there’s encouraging progress from Rodri. The Ballon d’Or winner has made two 30-minute substitute appearances in the group stage and could be ready to start his first game in over nine months following his ACL injury.
City’s summer signings Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Rayan Cherki are all options to start. Meanwhile, Ederson, Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Savinho, and Omar Marmoush are pushing for a return to the starting lineup after being named on the bench in the last match.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Juventus possible starting lineup:Di Gregorio; Savona, Kelly, Kalulu; Costa, Thuram, McKennie, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Kolo Muani
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Reijnders; Savinho, Foden, Marmoush; Haaland
EXPERT PREDICTION
Juventus 2-2 Manchester City
City need a win to secure top spot in Group G, and we’re predicting the Premier League champions will just about edge it in what should be an entertaining, back-and-forth match.
