Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
In the third round of the Club World Cup group stage, Porto faces Al Ahly in a high-stakes clash. The match is set for the night of Tuesday, June 24, with kickoff scheduled for 03:00 Central European Time. I’m offering a prediction on the winner of this game.
Match preview
Porto stands among Europe’s most experienced and disciplined clubs, regularly competing in continental tournaments. The team displays a balanced brand of football, focusing on positional attacks, ball control, and rapid wing play.
Usually, this style yields positive results, but things haven’t clicked for the Portuguese side at this tournament. Just one point from two matches is the telling statistic.
Porto occasionally experiences positional lapses against quick opponents, especially during transitions. Inter Miami capitalized on this in the second round, with Lionel Messi’s brilliance sealing the win.
Notably, the "Dragons" were leading in that match, but their rivals turned the tide early in the second half. In the opening round, Porto settled for a draw against Brazilian side Palmeiras. Now, advancement depends on other results, but there’s still a slim chance to reach the playoffs.
Al Ahly is one of Africa’s most decorated clubs. The Egyptians have assembled a battle-hardened squad, blending seasoned African players, local talent, and a handful of foreign stars with European experience.
The big story of the summer for the "Red Devils" was the return of Trezeguet, who started both previous matches. Al Ahly’s talisman had the chance to deliver victory against Inter Miami, but his penalty was denied by the goalkeeper.
The team is adept at quick tactical shifts, plays disciplined defense, and poses a real threat on the counterattack. A draw with the Americans was followed by a defeat to Palmeiras, so the Egyptians will be backing Palmeiras in the third round.
Regardless, they must defeat Porto and hope for a favorable outcome in the parallel fixture. Frankly, their playoff hopes are slim, but hope springs eternal. With little left under their control, Al Ahly may play with more freedom and less pressure to deliver a result.
Match facts
- Porto have failed to score in two of their last six matches.
- Al Ahly have yet to find the net in this Club World Cup.
- Porto averages 1.8 goals per game, while Al Ahly also averages 1.8 goals per game.
Probable line-ups
- Porto: Claudio Ramos, Fernandes, Pedro, Marcano, Varela, Veiga, Joao Mario, Vieira, Moura, Mora, Samu.
- Al Ahly: El-Shenawy, Dari, Ibrahim, Hany, Attiyat, Romdhane, Mohamed, Fathi, Bencharki, Trezeguet, Gradishar.
H2H
The teams have never faced each other before.
Prediction
The teams’ styles contrast dramatically: Porto’s technical finesse against Al Ahly’s stamina and energy. For Porto, this is a chance to finish the group stage on a high; for Al Ahly, it’s a bid for a sensational escape from the group or simply a proud tournament finish. A draw in the parallel match between Inter Miami and Palmeiras would see both these teams miss the playoffs. With little left to lose, expect a tense but open match. I believe the nominal hosts have the edge and will claim all three points—my recommended bet for this contest.
