Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the FIFA Club World Cup match.
All four teams in Group A opened the tournament with goalless draws, leaving them level on one point each. As a result, the second round of fixtures becomes crucial for Palmeiras and Al Ahly, with both sides aiming to improve their position in the standings and move closer to the knockout stage.
Palmeiras
Palmeiras began their campaign with a 0:0 draw against Porto, displaying a high attacking tempo and intensity. The team controlled 55% of possession and produced more attempts on goal (17 to 11). This performance mirrors their domestic form, where they currently sit fourth in the Brazilian Serie A and have won all six of their Copa Libertadores group-stage matches. However, recent fixtures have seen a more pragmatic approach — in 10 of their last 11 games, the Total Under 3.5 has been recorded.
Al Ahly
Al Ahly were close to securing victory against Inter Miami but failed to convert a penalty, settling for a 0:0 draw. They relied on solid defensive organisation and free kicks and corners, a strategy that nearly paid off. Domestically, they concede just 0.7 goals per match on average, and have carried that same tactical discipline into the Club World Cup — compact defensive lines, structured positioning, and waiting for opponents’ mistakes. This pattern was evident in the CAF Champions League as well, where nine of their 12 matches finished with a Total Under 3.5.
Palmeiras vs Al Ahly Prediction
Despite Palmeiras entering the match as favourites, they are unlikely to find it easy. Al Ahly are adept at slowing down the tempo, and Palmeiras have not always capitalised on their scoring opportunities. Both teams tend to play in low-scoring contests, and that trend is expected to continue here — with Palmeiras holding a slight edge.
