The Matchday 1 encounter of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup between Manchester City (England) and Wydad (Morocco) will take place on June 18 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia (USA). Manchester City vs. Wydad: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Manchester City
The Citizens are among the 12 European representatives at the Club World Cup. The team was invited to this tournament as the winners of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League, after which they made their debut at the world club championship. The English side comfortably and confidently won the trophy, having played two matches in the tournament and consecutively defeating Urawa Red Diamonds (3-0) and Fluminense (4-0). Last season, the Mancunians finished with impressive stats – just one defeat in their last 13 official matches (9 wins and 3 draws).
Of all the teams participating in the Club World Cup, Manchester City has the second most valuable squad, trailing only Real Madrid. The club has strengthened with the additions of winger Rayan Cherki, midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, and defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.
- In their last seven matches in the UEFA Champions League, the Citizens have secured only one victory in regular time (1 draw and 5 losses).
- Both teams scored in 6 of Manchester City's last 7 games in Europe's premier competition.
- At least four goals were scored in regular time in 8 of the last 9 encounters for the Mancunians in the UEFA Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Manchester City (4-2-3-1)
Ederson – Mateus Nunes, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias – Ilkay Gundogan, Nico Gonzalez – Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush – Erling Haaland.
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic will miss the Club World Cup due to an Achilles injury. His colleague Kevin De Bruyne has opted out of the tournament as he is set to join another club in July.
Wydad
The Moroccan side is participating in this tournament as the winners of the 2021/22 CAF Champions League. The team will be playing in the Club World Cup for the third time. In the previous two tournaments (2017 and 2022), Wydad played a total of three matches and did not secure a single victory in regular time (2 draws and 1 loss). The team approaches the current Club World Cup in good form, having suffered just one defeat in their last seven official matches (4 wins and 2 draws).
The club's head coach Rulani Mokwena resigned four weeks before the start of the Club World Cup. Mohamed Amin Benhachem has been appointed in his place.
- At least one team failed to score in regular time in Wydad's last seven CAF Champions League games.
- No more than two goals were scored in regular time in the club's last six matches in the African Champions League.
- The Moroccans did not win in regular time in 8 of their last 12 matches in the CAF Champions League (4 draws and 4 losses).
Predicted lineup for Wydad (4-3-3)
Mehdi Benabid – Mohamed Mufid, Abdelmounaim Boutouil, Ayman Dari, Fahd Moufi – Cassius Mailula, Mehdi El Moubarki, Oussama Zemraoui – Thembinkosi Lorch, Samuel Obeng, Ismail Benktib.
Defender Ayoub Boushita will miss the match due to injury.
Referee
Ramon Abatti (Brazil)
Matches – 5 (International matches, 2024–2025);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 20;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 20%.
Match Prediction: Manchester City vs. Wydad
Judging by the three recent transfers that took place in early June, Pep Guardiola is once again aiming to win the Club World Cup trophy. Even without these additions, the Mancunians were considered among the main contenders for the tournament victory, as Manchester City is one of the strongest clubs not only in England but also in Europe. The Moroccans will have a tough time against such an opponent, as they are noticeably weaker in terms of player selection and have lost to much more modest teams like Al Hilal, Pachuca, and Urawa Red Diamonds in their previous Club World Cup appearances.
Manchester City has played in this tournament only once before and easily handled their opponents, winning both matches by a large margin. It is highly likely that the English side will start this Club World Cup with a resounding victory, as they are in good form, and almost all their players are fit. High scoring is expected, especially from Erling Haaland, who scored 22 goals in the last Premier League season and has found the net in his last three matches for club and country.
My prediction – Manchester City with a handicap (-2.5)
