Overview of the match for Manchester City against Ain
Manchester City will seek to secure its place in the stadiums with direct elimination of the World Cup of clubs when they face the champions of the Al Ain water at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s men were rarely troubled in their group G opening match, passing Wydad AC 2-0, while Al Ain was at the reception of a merciless performance of Juventus, showing a defeat of 5-0.
Phil Foden set the tone to City with a nice finish before turning the supplier for Jeremy Doku to double the advance before half-time. A late red card for Rico Lewis offered the only imperfection in an otherwise dominant outing for the Premier League champions.
City is currently second in the group due to the difference in goals, but will confirm its place in the next round with a victory over Al Ain.
According to other results, the finish of second place could even provide a slightly more favorable path through the steps with direct elimination, Real Madrid potentially awaits the winners of the G.
Al Ain, on the other hand, must eliminate a major upheaval to keep their hopes of thin qualification. The men of Vladimir Ivic were upgraded by Juventus in Washington, with hugs of Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao, as well as an astonishing strike of Kenan Yildiz.
While Al Ain has a pedigree of the club World Cup, beating River Plate in 2018 on the way to the final, repeating such heroic against the Guardiola team would be an even greater achievement.
Team news for Manchester City against Ain
Manchester City will be without Rico Lewis after his right red card against Wydad. The youngster was dismissed after catching Samuel Obeng opposite during a challenge to the ground, despite the protests of the city’s players.
His absence opens the door to Matheus Nunes to place in an unknown rear right role, while Abdukodir Khusanov or John Stones could also be taken into account.
With qualification tests in sight and more difficult tests to come, Guardiola can choose to shoot, which can make his debut at the new signature of Rayan Ait-Nouri on the left rear.
Al Ain has no injury problems or suspension of new injuries before their second match.
Lines with Manchester City against Ain
Manchester City: Ortega; Nunes, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez, Gundogan; Bobb, Alderri, Foden; Haaland
Al Ain: Patricio; Traore, Ratnik, Rabia, Cardoso, Zabala; Kaku, Nader; Park; Chadli, Laba
How to watch Manchester City against Ain: Channel TV, online flow
Manchester City against Al Ain will start at 02:00 Monday morning in the United Kingdom, with fans capable of watching the match on Channel 5 or via Dazn.
Manchester City statistics against Ain
- Manchester City have won four of their last five games all competitions
- Al Ain were undefeated in seven before their 5-0 defeat against Juventus
- Al Ain reached the final of the club World Cup in 2018 but never beat the European opposition
- City has scored 14 goals in its last five games all competitions
Prediction
Al Ain can seek to absorb the pressure and frustrate Manchester City, but their defensive resilience is likely to crack under pressure.
Even with Guardiola who should turn, the depth of the city team should see them comfortably to the stadiums with direct elimination.
Prediction: Manchester City 4-0 Al Ain
