Man City vs Al Ain Prediction: Two Betting Tips, Preview & Team News

Manchester City meet Al Ain at the Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, with anything but a win likely to see the UAE side knocked out of the Club World Cup.

Matthew O’Regan has previewed the Group G duel and handpicked his best two bets.

Man City vs Al Ain Preview

The Citizens endured a difficult season for their standards, limping to a third place finish in the Premier League. The injuries to Erling Haaland and Rodri saw Pep Guardiolas side struggle, but with both back fit, they head into this summers tournament as one of the favourites.

They have already been ambitious in the transfer market, adding Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki to an already talented squad.

Al Ain are UAE’s most successful club, sweeping up 14 league titles, as well as an array of domestic cups and two AFC Champions Leagues. However, domestically they were poor, finishing fifth in the league – their worst finish for four years.

Man City vs Al Ain Tips

Manchester City faced Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in the opening game, easing past Amine Benhachem’s side. The one blight on the result was the late Rico Lewis card, although Guardiola is expected to go full strength once more.

City only conceded 44 goals in the Premier League this season and with the return of Balon D’or winner Rodri and the addition of Reijnders, they should be a lot more defensively resolute.

Al Ain were outclassed in the opening game, losing 0-5 to Serie A side Juventus. Vladimir Ivic’s side failed to lay a glove on the Old Lady, registering just 37% possession. With such talent and wealth disparity between the sides, expect City to romp to an easy victory.

Facundo Zabala signed for Al Ain in time for this summer’s tournament, with the Argentine playing left back in the humbling defeat to Juventus. The 26-year-old struggled with the pace and trickery of livewire winger Chico Conceicao who scored twice. Zabala ended the match with six tackles. While his tackle numbers were sporadic at Olimpia, he is tasked with more defensive responsibility in this Al-Ain side so we should see an upturn in tackles.

Savinho and Matheus Nunes are expected to occupy the right flank on Monday, with Phil Foden also tending to drift wide. In the 2-0 win over Wydad, left back Mohamed Moufid made three tackles. In City’s 57 games this season, 27 have seen at least three tackles.

Man City vs Al Ain Team News

Rico Lewis is suspended following his red card last week, while Erling Haaland will be hopeful of his first start of the tournament. Phil Foden should retain his place.

The lineups for Man City vs Al Ain will be displayed below approximately one hour before kick-off.

Man City vs Al Ain Odds