Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
The opening round of the Club World Cup group stage will feature a showdown between Al Ain and Juventus. The match is set to take place in Washington in the early hours of Thursday, June 19. Kick-off is scheduled for 03:00 Central European Time. Here’s my tip on the winner of this clash.
Match preview
Al Ain stands as one of the flagships of UAE football. Under the guidance of Argentine coach Hernán Crespo, the team displayed a dynamic, aggressive approach, utilizing high pressing and relying on rapid wing attacks.
All of this helped the club clinch the AFC Champions League title for the second time in its history in 2024, earning Al Ain the chance to test themselves against Europe’s elite on the global stage.
This winter, Serbian manager Vladimir Ivić took the reins. Under his leadership, Al Ain played just one main-stage match in the AFC Champions League, finishing at the bottom of their group.
Their domestic losing streak was only snapped at the start of April. As a result, the team finished below third place in the national league for the first time in four years, and will miss out on international competition next season.
Juventus endured yet another turbulent season. Last summer, the club handed the reins to Thiago Motta, but the former Bologna boss didn’t last even a full year in charge.
On one hand, the team was extremely resilient, going a long stretch unbeaten in Serie A. On the other hand, a flurry of draws prevented them from mounting a serious title challenge against Inter and Napoli.
In March, Igor Tudor was brought in to steady the ship. The appointment of the new coach sparked a wave of criticism toward the club’s hierarchy, but the “Old Lady” ultimately delivered. Juventus snatched victory over Venezia on the final day of Serie A and edged out Roma in the race for a Champions League spot.
Heading into the Club World Cup, the Croatian coach has secured the board’s backing and extended his contract through to the summer of 2027. The Turin side have already wrapped up the permanent signing of Pierre Kalulu and entered the race for prolific striker Viktor Gyökeres. In the US, the Italian giants should have little trouble advancing to the playoffs, with weaker opposition in Al Ain and Wydad rounding out the group.
Match facts
- Al Ain are unbeaten in seven consecutive matches.
- The UAE side has conceded just one goal in their last seven outings.
- Juventus have lost three times in their previous 12 games, failing to score in each defeat.
- Al Ain average 1.8 goals per game, while Juventus also average 1.8 goals per game.
Probable lineups
- Al Ain: Eisa, Eric, Kouadio, Cardoso, Traore, Pak, Nader, Palacios, Kaku, Rahimi, Laba.
- Juventus: Di Gregorio, Savona, Veiga, Kelly, Cambiaso, Thuram, McKennie, Gonzalez, Yildiz, Conceição, Kolo Muani.
H2H
The teams have never faced each other before.
Prediction
Al Ain will likely play a reactive game, relying on counters and set pieces. The gulf in class is significant, making the Italians clear favorites. With both teams favoring attacking football, their current form, and the importance of this opening match, expect a lively, high-scoring affair. Al Ain have the tools to surprise, especially with talents like Laba and Rahimi up front. Still, Juventus’s experience at this level makes their victory almost certain. However, the underdogs won’t go down without a fight, and backing the hosts with a +2.5 goal handicap looks like a smart bet.
