Manchester City and Juventus have brushed aside both of their opponents in the first two matches of the FIFA Club World Cup. They will face each other in the last game of their Group G at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Thursday, 26th June at 20:00 GMT.
The Citizens are coming off a busy schedule, with new signings like Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders bolstering their squad for the tournament. However, concerns linger about player fatigue, as noted by England head coach Thomas Tuchel, who highlighted the potential advantage for non-Club World Cup participants in the upcoming Premier League season.
Pep Guardiola’s side has been prolific in attack, scoring 13 goals in their last four matches across all competitions, having also kept three straight competitive clean sheets. Their star-studded lineup, including Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, will look to overpower a Juventus side that struggled for consistency at times in season 2024/25, as we published in our latest football stats report.
Juventus, head coach Igor Tudor, are in a transitional phase after parting ways with Thiago Motta and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli. However, the Bianconeri have won their last four matches, with their defence conceding just once in the winning run. Players like Randal Kolo Muani, who confirmed his stay for the tournament, and Dusan Vlahovic provide a significant attacking threat.
The Italian giants have been resilient on neutral ground, losing only once in their last five such matches, but they face a formidable challenge against a City side that has won their last four games. Juventus’ hopes may rest on exploiting City’s occasional defensive lapses, although they have been rare in recent outings.
Juventus FIFA Club World Cup form:
- Al Ain FC: 5-0 (W) 19/06/2025
- Wydad AC: 4-1 (W) 22/06/2025
Juventus form (all competitions):
- W (A) 3-2 against Venezia (Serie A) 25/05/25
- W (H) 2-0 against Udinese (Serie A) 18/05/25
- D (A) 1-1 against Lazio (Serie A) 10/05/25
- D (A) 1-1 against Bologna (Serie A) 04/05/25
- W (H) 2-0 against Monza (Serie A) 27/04/25
Manchester City FIFA Club World Cup form:
- Wydad AC: 2-0 (W) 18/06/2025
- Al Ain FC: 6-0 (W) 23/06/2025
Manchester City form (all competitions):
- W (A) 2-0 against Fulham (Premier League) 25/05/25
- W (H) 3-1 against Bournemouth (Premier League) 20/05/25
- L (N) 1-0 against Crystal Palace (FA Cup) 17/05/25
- D (A) 0-0 against Southampton (Premier League) 10/05/25
- W (H) 1-0 against Wolves (Premier League) 02/05/25
Team News
Manchester City could be without Kevin De Bruyne, who has expressed reluctance to play in the Club World Cup due to injury concerns ahead of his contract expiry. The veteran star will join Italian champions Napoli this summer.
Other prominent players that may feature in midfield instead are Rodri and the aforementioned Reijnders. England international Phil Foden could play a creative role as a number ten. The Croatian international Josko Gvardiol is expected to feature at left-back, joining Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji in defence. Erling Haaland, fresh off a prolific season, is sure to lead the line, supported by Oumar Marmoush and Savinho. New signing Rayan Cherki and youngster Charlie Etchverri are other attacking options for City boss Guardiola.
Juventus are likely to field a strong side, with Randal Kolo Muani spearheading the attack. Kenan Yildiz and Fransico Conceicao will play just behind the French international. Midfielders Weston McKennie and Khephren Thuram are expected to start. Defensively, Lloyd Kelly, Nicolo Savona, and Pierre Kalulu are expected to form a centre-back trio, with goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio aiming to keep City’s potent attack at bay.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Rodri, Reijnders; Savinho, Foden, Marmoush; Haaland
Juventus possible starting lineup: Di Gregorio; Kelly, Savona, Kalulu; Cambiaso, McKennie, Thuram, Costa; Conceicao, Yildiz; Kolo Muani
We Say: Manchester City 2-1 Juventus
Juventus have historically posed problems for Manchester City, but the Premier League side’s superior firepower and depth should see them edge this encounter. Expect Haaland to capitalise on any Juventus defensive vulnerabilities, though Kolo Muani could keep things close with a goal for the Bianconeri.
