Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
On the night of Wednesday, June 18, we'll witness the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup group stage between Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns. The game kicks off at 00:00 Central European Time, and here’s my betting tip for this clash.
Ulsan HD vs Mamelodi Sundowns: Match preview
The South Korean side is one of the most dominant teams in their region. Ulsan have clinched the K League 1 title three years running and are once again among the frontrunners for the championship. The season in South Korea is in full swing, with the main battles still ahead. Ulsan HD were recently crowned AFC Champions League winners—in 2020. However, in the latest edition of the tournament, they failed to even reach the playoffs. Nevertheless, Ulsan remain one of Asian football’s giants and fully deserve their spot in this tournament.
The same can be said about Mamelodi Sundowns—one of Africa’s strongest clubs and a multiple-time South African champion. This season, they’ve once again secured the South African Premier Division title, holding onto the crown for an incredible eighth consecutive year. In the past ten seasons, they have missed out on gold just once. Sundowns lifted the CAF Champions League trophy in 2016, and in the current campaign, they reached the final, narrowly losing to Egyptian side Pyramids over two legs—2:3 on aggregate.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Both teams failed to win their last two matches ahead of the tournament.
- Ulsan HD are on an eight-match scoring streak, while Mamelodi Sundowns have found the net in nine straight games.
- Last season, Mamelodi Sundowns lost without scoring in just 7% of their matches, compared to 15% for Ulsan HD.
- These two clubs have never faced each other before.
Probable line-ups
- Ulsan HD: Jo Hyeon-woo, Choi Seok-hyun, Seo Min-kwan, Kim Young-won, Ludwigson G., Lee Chung-yong, Jung Woo-young, Bojanic D., Ko Seung-beom, Um Won-sang, Erik Farias.
- Mamelodi Sundowns: Ronwen Williams, Mpho Hoza, Teboho Mokoena, Motjeba Lebusa, Khuliso Mudau, Marcelo Allende, Neo Maema, Aubrey Modiba, Lucas Costa, Arthur Sales, Ethan Ryaners.
Prediction
Both teams are among the elite in their respective regions. However, Ulsan HD have been less consistent this season compared to Mamelodi Sundowns. The last campaign was a resounding success for the South African side, and I believe they have what it takes to overcome the Koreans. My tip: Mamelodi Sundowns to win at odds of 1.9.
