Manchester City and Fluminense are set to clash in the final of the 20th FIFA Club World Cup at King Abdullah Sports City this Friday. It’s a historic moment for both teams, marking their first appearance in the tournament. Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, enters as Europe’s representatives after securing a treble last season. On the other hand, Fluminense earned their spot by winning their first-ever Copa Libertadores, triumphing over Boca Juniors in a thrilling extra-time final.

Manchester City advanced to the final with a solid 3-0 win against Urawa Reds in the semifinals, featuring an own goal by Marius Hoibraaten and additional strikes from Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva. Fluminense secured their final berth with a 2-0 victory over Al Ahly, thanks to goals from Jhon Arias and substitute John Kennedy.

This match marks the first encounter between Manchester City and Fluminense. Fluminense has shown defensive resilience, conceding only twice in the latter half of their last eight games. Manchester City’s recent form has seen a high-scoring trend, with most of their last ten matches, including the previous four, yielding three or more goals. This Club World Cup final is the 13th instance of a South American team facing a European team, with European clubs currently leading with nine wins.

Manchester City is chasing a unique achievement, hoping to be the first English team to simultaneously hold the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup titles.

Prediction-wise, despite recent struggles in the Premier League, Manchester City has shown formidable strength in cup competitions, boasting an impressive record and multiple trophies. Meanwhile, Fluminense, under the guidance of Fernando Diniz, are targeting their fourth trophy this year but face a tough challenge. While Manchester City has shown some defensive vulnerabilities, they are favored to emerge victorious in this matchup.

Predicted Score: Manchester City 3-1 Fluminense