Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the FIFA Club World Cup match.
The opening round of the FIFA Club World Cup went largely as anticipated: Juventus comfortably dispatched Al-Ain, while Wydad Athletic Club were beaten by Manchester City. Heading into the second group fixture, Juventus need only a narrow win to guarantee progression. Wydad, on the other hand, will be looking to exploit opportunities on the break as they fight to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Juventus
Juventus showed their quality in their tournament opener. That said, the 5:0 result against Al-Ain did not reflect the overall balance of play. In xG, the team generated just 1.6, making the most of their chances with clinical finishing. Braces from Francisco Conceição and Randal Kolo Muani secured the win. Historically, Juventus are not known for high-scoring encounters — only two of their last 11 matches have featured more than 3.5 goals.
Wydad Athletic Club
Wydad Athletic Club lost 0:2 to Manchester City in their opening match, but they did show ambition. They managed 12 shots, though only two were on target. Defensive frailties remain an issue, as they’ve now conceded in five straight games. Nevertheless, Wydad tend to employ a cautious style of play — none of their last 12 fixtures have seen total goals exceed the 3.5 mark.
Juventus vs Wydad Athletic Club Prediction
Juventus are clearly superior in terms of overall quality. While Wydad Athletic Club showed some resilience against Manchester City, the result was rarely in doubt. A similar outcome is expected here, with Juventus likely to secure a controlled, low-scoring win.
