Introduction to the Big Match
Our betting expert expects a Manchester City victory, given their recent domination of Juventus. Manchester City have won all three of their matches at this year’s Club World Cup. Their new signings seem to have quickly adjusted, making them look like the City team that have recently won the famous treble.
Best Picks for the Match
The best picks for the Manchester City vs Al Hilal match are:
- Man City to Win @ -300 with bet365
- BTTS – Yes @ -106 with bet365
- Man City (-2) Spread @ +220 with bet365
All odds are courtesy of bet365, correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.
City’s Dominant Form
Manchester City have only lost once in their last 10 matches, which was the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. During this period, they also had one draw and eight wins. Al Hilal have also enjoyed a similar record, losing just once in their last 10. However, they were only able to win six times in that sequence of games. These two sides haven’t faced each other many times before, with Al Hilal winning a club-friendly 1-0 back in 2012. However, this match is likely to see goals, especially given City’s form.
Goals Expected at Both Ends
Despite City’s attacking prowess, they tend to concede. In fact, both teams have scored in their last six games. That matches their domestic form, as 55% of their Premier League games saw goals at both ends. That will encourage Simone Inzaghi’s men, especially since they have scored in every home league fixture last term. Both teams have found the net in 65% of their Saudi Pro League matches.
Two-Goal Winning Margin
Pep’s men are favourites to secure a spot in the CWC quarter-finals, and judging by their last performance, they could be well clear of Al Hilal. They’ve won their last five consecutive by a two-goal margin at least. Two of those matches were won by exactly two goals, which is a more realistic outcome against decent opposition. City won 21 games in the Premier League last season. Eight of those were by two goals, which equates to 38% and has been the most popular win margin all season.
Our Analysis: Form of Both Teams
Despite Pep Guardiola’s frequent rotation of players at the 2025 Club World Cup, they showed no signs of unfamiliarity in their last game. City were ruthless against Juventus, having won 5-2, which is their first victory over the Old Lady since 1976. As the defending CWC champions, and since they ended last season without a trophy, retaining this crown would help make up for last season’s disappointments.
Probable Lineups for the Match
The probable lineups for the Manchester City vs Al Hilal match are:
- Manchester City expected lineup: Ederson; Nunes, Diaz, Akanji, O’Reilly; Rodri; Silva, Cherki; Marmoush, Doku, Haaland
- Al Hilal expected lineup: Bono; Cancelo, Tambakti, Koulibaly, Lodi; Neves, Milikovic-Savic, Al-Dawsari; Malcom, Al-Dawsari, Marcos Leonardo
Conclusion
In conclusion, Manchester City are expected to win the match against Al Hilal, given their recent domination of Juventus. The best picks for the match are Man City to Win, BTTS – Yes, and Man City (-2) Spread. City’s dominant form, goals expected at both ends, and two-goal winning margin all suggest a City victory. With their strong lineup and recent performance, City are favourites to secure a spot in the CWC quarter-finals.
