Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
The opening round of the FIFA Club World Cup group stage will see Flamengo take on Esperance. The match is set for the night of Tuesday, June 17. Kick-off is scheduled for 03:00 Central European Time. I'm offering a bet on both the outcome and total goals of this encounter.
Match preview
Flamengo stands as one of South America's most decorated and popular clubs. The Rio de Janeiro outfit is famous for its attacking style and deep roster packed with top-tier talent.
The club travels to the Club World Cup as Copa Libertadores champions, just like the other three Brazilian sides in the competition. Chelsea appears to be the main rival in the group for the "Red and Blacks," but this opening fixture could prove decisive.
The team boasts a fearsome attacking trio: Pedro, Gabriel Barbosa (Gabigol), and De Arrascaeta—all capable of deciding matches with individual brilliance. The squad also features Brazilian veterans Danilo and Alex Sandro.
Flamengo battled through the Copa Libertadores group phase, but in Brazil’s Serie A, they look dominant. Under Filipe Luís, the team tops the table and has conceded just four goals in 11 matches.
Esperance, a multiple-time Tunisian champion and one of Africa’s strongest clubs, reached the Club World Cup not by winning the CAF Champions League, but as the highest-ranked African team that did not win an international title.
Disciplined yet capable going forward, Esperance features powerful forwards and skillful midfielders who frequently threaten from set pieces and on the counterattack.
In recent CAF Champions League matches, Esperance showed solid form, narrowly losing to Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarterfinals. Domestically, the club claimed its second straight league title and is rightfully considered Tunisia’s top team.
Over the past month, Esperance competed in the national cup, knocking out Zarzis, Ben Guerdane, and Stade Tunisien in succession, adding the cup trophy to their league crown.
Match facts
- Flamengo have won their last four matches.
- The Brazilians have conceded in only one of their previous seven games.
- Esperance are unbeaten in their last 11 fixtures.
- The Tunisian side have allowed just two goals in that span.
- Flamengo average 2.2 goals per match, while Esperance average 1.2 goals per match.
Probable lineups
- Flamengo: Rossi, Varela, Leo Ortiz, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Gerson, Pulgar, De Arrascaeta, Luiz Araújo, Everton, Pedro.
- Esperance Tunis: Ben Said, Ben Ali, Ben Hamida, Guenichi, Djabri, Jebali, Elassi, Ogbelu, Tougai, Yan Sasse, Belaïli.
H2H
The two sides have never faced each other before.
Prediction
Flamengo will look to dictate play, controlling possession and aggressively exploiting the flanks. Their trademark high press on the opponent’s half will make life difficult for Esperance. The Tunisian side, meanwhile, will likely opt for a defensive setup, relying on counterattacks, vertical passes, and set pieces. Both teams are solid at the back, but the gap in individual quality is significant. As such, I don't give Esperance much of a chance here and recommend betting on a Flamengo win and under 4.5 total goals.
