Match preview for Manchester Metropolis v Al Ain
Manchester Metropolis will look to safe their place within the Membership World Cup knockout levels once they tackle UAE champions Al Ain on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s males have been hardly ever troubled of their opening Group G fixture, easing previous Wydad AC 2-0, whereas Al Ain have been on the receiving finish of a ruthless Juventus efficiency, slumping to a 5-0 loss.
Phil Foden set the tone for Metropolis with a high-quality early end earlier than turning supplier for Jeremy Doku to double the lead earlier than half-time. A late crimson card for Rico Lewis provided the one blemish in an in any other case dominant outing for the Premier League champions.
Metropolis presently sit second within the group because of purpose distinction however will affirm their place within the subsequent spherical with a victory over Al Ain.
Relying on different outcomes, ending second may even present a barely extra beneficial path via the knockout levels, with Actual Madrid doubtlessly mendacity in look ahead to the Group G winners.
Al Ain, in the meantime, should pull off a significant upset to maintain their slim qualification hopes alive. Vladimir Ivic’s males have been outclassed by Juventus in Washington, with braces from Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao, plus a surprising Kenan Yildiz strike.
Whereas Al Ain do have Membership World Cup pedigree, famously defeating River Plate in 2018 on their option to the ultimate, repeating such heroics towards Guardiola’s facet can be a good larger achievement.
Crew information for Manchester Metropolis v Al Ain
Manchester Metropolis can be with out Rico Lewis following his straight crimson card towards Wydad. The teen was dismissed after catching Samuel Obeng within the face throughout a floor problem, regardless of protests from Metropolis gamers.
His absence opens the door for Matheus Nunes to fit into an unfamiliar right-back position, whereas Abdukodir Khusanov or John Stones is also thought of.
With qualification in sight and more durable assessments forward, Guardiola might decide to rotate, probably handing a debut to new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri at left-back.
Al Ain don’t have any contemporary harm or suspension considerations heading into their second match.
Anticipated line-ups for Manchester Metropolis v Al Ain
Manchester Metropolis: Ortega; Nunes, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez, Gundogan; Bobb, Echeverri, Foden; Haaland
Al Ain: Patricio; Traore, Ratnik, Rabia, Cardoso, Zabala; Kaku, Nader; Park; Chadli, Laba
How you can watch Manchester Metropolis v Al Ain: TV channel, on-line stream
Manchester Metropolis v Al Ain will kick-off at 02:00am on Monday morning within the UK, with followers in a position to watch the sport both on Channel 5 or via DAZN.
The stats for Manchester Metropolis v Al Ain
- Manchester Metropolis have gained 4 of their final 5 matches throughout all competitions
- Al Ain have been unbeaten in seven earlier than their 5-0 loss to Juventus
- Al Ain reached the Membership World Cup ultimate in 2018 however have by no means overwhelmed European opposition
- Metropolis have scored 14 objectives of their final 5 matches throughout all competitions
Prediction
Al Ain might look to soak up stress and frustrate Manchester Metropolis, however their defensive resilience is prone to crack beneath the stress.
Even with Guardiola anticipated to rotate, the depth in Metropolis’s squad ought to comfortably see them via to the knockout levels.
Prediction: Manchester Metropolis 4-0 Al Ain