🔊 Which team will kick off the Club World Cup with a victory? Success in the upcoming clash is crucial. Neither Ulsan nor Mamelodi Sundowns are considered favorites in Group F. Therefore, only three points will keep their hopes alive for competing against Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund for a playoff spot. The loser can practically wave goodbye to their chances. The upcoming match will take place in Orlando, at the "Inter-i-Co" Stadium. With no clear favorite, we'll explore various scenarios to make an insightful prediction.

Head-to-Head

📊 These teams have not faced each other before.

Ulsan Team Overview

🟠 Ulsan have clinched the K-League title three times in a row. However, their latest title defense is proving to be less successful. They currently sit third in the standings, trailing the leader by nine points, and the leader also has a game in hand. Despite this, Ulsan benefit from regular match play, unlike most teams participating in the Club World Cup.

🔵 Ulsan reached the quarter-finals of the national cup, a trophy they haven't lifted since 2017. They had an early exit from the AFC Champions League, finishing 10th in their group, ahead of only Central Coast Mariners. Yet, the club claimed the tournament in 2012 and 2020. Consistent performances from 2021 to 2023 secured them a spot in the World Cup based on rankings.

🔝 Ulsan operate in a 4-4-2 formation. Among their forwards, Erick Farias stands out. Before turning 28, he played exclusively in Brazil but is now part of the South Korean champions this season. In the K-League, he has appeared in 14 matches and scored eight goals, placing him in the top five scorers of the league.

Mamelodi Sundowns Team Overview

🟡 Mamelodi Sundowns are by far the best team in South Africa, having clinched the championship seven times in a row. The "Brazilians" ended the current season with six clean sheet victories, pulling 12 points clear of their nearest rival. In 28 matches, they've dropped only 11 points.

🟢 Domestically, the team boasts a top-tier defense, conceding just 13 goals in 28 games. However, replicating this form in the CAF Champions League has proven challenging. Still, Mamelodi Sundowns delivered an impressive campaign, reaching the final where they fell to Egypt's Pyramids (1-1, 1-2). The "Brazilians" have struggled in knockout formats, failing to capture the national cup for three consecutive seasons.

🔝 While Mamelodi Sundowns may lack star power, they feature players with European exposure. For instance, Lucas Ribeiro spent a considerable time in Belgium before moving to South Africa in 2023. This season has statistically been his most successful, as the Brazilian netted 16 goals and provided nine assists in the domestic league alone—figures he hadn't achieved at any previous club.

Latest news

Ulsan

🎙 Ulsan's head coach Kim Pan-gon shared his expectations for the Club World Cup: “As a team representing Korea and Asia, we're under pressure to perform well against clubs from other continents. I believe reaching the Round of 16 is crucial, and our opening match against Mamelodi Sundowns will be key. After that, it will be important to secure points against Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund.”

✅ Ulsan are preparing for the match with a full squad.

Mamelodi Sundowns

🎙 Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso is ready for new challenges: "We believe we can challenge ourselves and create challenges for our opponents – that's what will be most important. We want to compete. We understand the reality, but we are prepared to do everything possible to address every issue we face. It's also a test of where we stand."

❌ Siyanda Nyanga will miss the upcoming match due to a shoulder injury.

🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards

🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards

The main referee for the match is Clément Turpin from France. He's highly sought after in Europe, making him the standout figure on the pitch. Typically, there are no complaints about his officiating, as he averages 3.05 yellow cards per game this season.

Ulsan tend to receive more yellow cards this season, averaging 2.2 compared to 1.8. Matches involving these teams see an average of around four cautions. The challenging weather conditions could impact the teams' play. Therefore, despite the referee's stats, a bet on total yellow cards over 3.5 seems reasonable.

⚽️ Goal Prediction

Mamelodi Sundowns have been consistently keeping clean sheets this season, but that's in South Africa. On the international stage, maintaining a clean sheet will be tougher, especially against one of Asia's top teams. Ulsan have scored in eight consecutive matches. On the flip side, the "Brazilians" have found the net in nine straight games. Thus, an both teams to score (yes) bet appears insightful.

🚩 Corner Prediction

This season, Ulsan have the upper hand in corners, averaging 5.8 compared to 4.2. It's no surprise that bookmakers favor them in this aspect. However, the outcome largely depends on the nature of the game. The South Korean team has delivered at least five corners in six of their last seven matches. In such a scenario, considering a bet on Ulsan total corners over 4.5 is worth pondering.

This upcoming clash is crucial for both teams, as it might be their only opportunity to secure points in the tournament. Both sides are expected to push for a win, but it's likely they will end up sharing the spoils. Our reasonable prediction is a potential scoreline of 1-1.

We can anticipate goals from both teams, driven by the coaches' messages of fighting spirit and victory focus. Ulsan should be in top form, being in the midst of their season, while Mamelodi Sundowns might better withstand the heat conditions. Given this scenario, our key bet is both teams to score (yes). This outcome has occurred in 6 of Ulsan's last 7 matches.