Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
One of the opening round matches of the Club World Cup group stage will take place on Tuesday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where Brazilian giants Flamengo will host Tunisian powerhouse Espérance. Here’s a value bet on the outcome of this showdown with an appealing odds boost.
Match preview
Flamengo arrive at the Club World Cup in top form: the team is on a powerful unbeaten streak, scoring 8 goals in their last three matches and not conceding a single one. The 5-0 demolition of Fortaleza was a litmus test — the Rubro-Negro are not just ready, they are hungry for silverware.
Filipe Luís has managed in a short time to build a tactically flexible yet aggressive side. His focus on rapid transitions into attack and relentless pressing is working to perfection, and Flamengo’s attacking unit is peaking right now. This squad boasts not only a dazzling offense but also a rock-solid defense, making them one of the main contenders for the trophy.
The Tunisian giants may not dazzle in attack, but over their last five matches, they’ve conceded just once. A goalless draw with US Monastir showcased their defensive organization, though their attacking potential remains questionable — and against a team of Flamengo’s calibre, that could prove critical.
Under Maher Kanzari, Espérance play with restraint and calculation, focusing on a tight midfield and strict discipline. Their trump card is experience and the ability to get the most out of limited chances, but against the Brazilians, this approach could backfire. They’ll need to give 200% to withstand Flamengo’s attacking wave.
Probable lineups
- Flamengo: A. Rossi, Guillermo Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Ayrton Sandro, Gerson, Everton, Luiz Araújo, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Everton, Bruno Pinto
- Espérance: Ben Said B. (gk), Ben Ali M., Ben Hamida M. (c), Guénichi K., Jebri A., Jebali S., Jelassi H., Ogbelu O., Tougai M., Yan Sasse, Belaïli Y.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Flamengo are unbeaten in their last 8 matches, scoring in 7 of them
- This will be the first-ever head-to-head meeting between Flamengo and Espérance
- The "Both teams to score" bet has only come through once in Flamengo’s last seven matches
Prediction
The gap in class, pace, and squad depth is clearly in Flamengo’s favor. The Brazilians have a more cohesive and versatile team, and their attacking firepower, combined with their excellent form, is likely to be the decisive factor here. Our bet: "Flamengo to win with a -1.5 handicap" at odds of 2.00.
