🔊 Can Mamelodi Sundowns compete for a spot in the Club World Cup playoffs? The South African side has taken a significant step by topping Group F after the first round. However, they face two favorites ahead. Borussia Dortmund were even considered one of the title contenders, although their odds have dropped following an underwhelming debut. Still, the German team are clear favorites for the upcoming clash. Nonetheless, we will explore various scenarios to make the prediction as insightful as possible. It's worth noting that the match will take place in Cincinnati, at the TQL Stadium.

Head-to-Head

📊 The opponents have not faced each other before.

Mamelodi Sundowns Team Overview

🟡 Mamelodi Sundowns entered the tournament not in the best of spirits. Just two weeks before the kickoff, they suffered a defeat in the CAF Champions League final to Pyramids. However, in the South African league, there were no surprises as they clinched yet another championship, finishing 12 points clear of their nearest rivals.

🟢 For Mamelodi Sundowns, the crucial match at the Club World Cup came right in the first round. Their opponent was Ulsan, who were also initially considered underdogs in the group. To stay in contention for a playoff spot, starting with a win was essential. The African side showed their intent from the outset and deservedly took the lead in the first half. Before halftime, two goals were disallowed after VAR reviews. In the second half, Mamelodi Sundowns had opportunities to extend their lead, but the scoreline remained unchanged.

🔝 One of Mamelodi Sundowns' key players is Iqraam Rayners. In his first season with the team, he has contributed 23 goal involvements (14 goals and 9 assists) in 26 national league matches. The South African forward scored the only goal against Ulsan and could have bagged a hat-trick if not for VAR ruling out a handball and an offside.

Borussia Dortmund Team Overview

🟡 Borussia Dortmund ended their Bundesliga season on a high note, securing five consecutive victories. This impressive run propelled them into the top four, earning a coveted spot in the Champions League. Heading into the Club World Cup, the "Black and Yellows" suffered just one defeat in their last 10 matches, and that was against Barcelona.

⚫ Borussia Dortmund are among the few teams in the tournament without any silverware this season. Despite being considered one of the championship favorites due to what appeared to be a relatively easy group, they faced challenges right from their match against Fluminense (0-0). It's worth noting they managed only seven shots on goal without creating any clear chances. The opposition came closer to scoring, but Dortmund's defenders and goalkeeper stepped up admirably. For instance, Niklas Süle received the highest rating (8.0) among all participants in the match.

Latest news

Mamelodi Sundowns

🎙 Mamelodi Sundowns forward Iqraam Rayners was ecstatic following his team's victory over Ulsan: "I'm over the moon. Tonight, we had a massive opportunity, and we seized it with both hands. Of course, I'm very proud and happy to get on the scoresheet, but securing the three points is what excites me the most. We played as a team, and that's what truly matters."

🔗 The match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan was delayed by 65 minutes due to the proximity of a tornado. Players were taken to the locker rooms, and fans were evacuated. However, the game eventually took place with an attendance of 3,412, marking the lowest turnout at the Club World Cup. Notably, it's the only match on FIFA's website with no displayed goal statistics.

❌ Ahead of their upcoming fixture, Mamelodi Sundowns have only Siyanda Nyanga in the injury list.

Borussia Dortmund

🎙 Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel believes his team fell short of expectations in the opening round: "It was a really tough match. I think the Brazilians were very good, very aggressive, and played better than we did. Who knows, maybe the slight change in time zones had an effect, but I believe we shouldn't have too many excuses."

📝 Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has informed Borussia Dortmund management of his desire to move to Chelsea. It was previously reported that the German club rejected the Londoners' third offer.

❌ Borussia Dortmund are facing significant defensive issues due to injuries. Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck will be sidelined. Additionally, Salih Özcan is also in the recovery room.

🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards

🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards

The main referee for the match is Juan Gabriel Benitez from Paraguay. This season, he has officiated 17 matches in the Paraguayan top division, averaging 5.24 yellow cards per game. Will he maintain his strict approach at the Club World Cup?

Looking at the match statistics over the past six months, each team averages 1.8 cautions per game. The first round showed Borussia Dortmund's lack of physical readiness, which may lead to challenges in the upcoming match. Considering the referee's stats, a bet on Borussia Dortmund over 1.5 yellow cards seems reasonable, especially since this bet paid off in their first match of the tournament.

⚽️ Goal Prediction

In Group F, only one goal was scored in the entire first round, netted by Mamelodi Sundowns. Borussia Dortmund looked lackluster in their game, and their attacking issues are likely to persist. Therefore, a potential bet could be on total goals under 3.5, a trend that has held for 19 consecutive matches for Mamelodi Sundowns.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Borussia Dortmund have delivered fewer than seven corners in six away matches. The game in Cincinnati can also be considered an away fixture. Additionally, they appeared quite passive against Fluminense, earning just three corners. In this scenario, a bet on Borussia Dortmund total corners under 6.5 seems justified.

Borussia Dortmund are the favorites for the upcoming clash. However, if they play as they did in the first round, they could face significant challenges. They need to step up considerably to reach the playoffs, giving Mamelodi Sundowns a fair chance of avoiding a heavy defeat. In this context, a potential narrow scoreline of 0-1 is worth noting.

In any case, don't expect a goal fest here. Just look at the results from the first round in this group for reference. Moreover, Mamelodi Sundowns are capable of solid defending, as evidenced by their record—no more than three goals have been scored in each of their last 19 matches. Therefore, our key bet is on total goals under 3.5.