Palmeiras and Al Ahly meet at MetLife Stadium to kick off the second round of Group A action at the FIFA Club World Cup. With all four teams level on one point after matchday one, this fixture offers both sides a crucial chance to gain control of a wide-open group.
Palmeiras head into this fixture after beginning their Club World Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw against Porto. The result means they are now unbeaten in nine of their last 11 matches in all competitions, picking up eight wins in that run.
Despite failing to score against Porto, the goals have flowed freely for Palmeiras, who have found the net 19 times in the last 11 matches, with a 6-0 victory over Sporting Cristal among their results. Manager Abel Ferreira will be keen to show some of that quality on Thursday and take control of an open group.
Al Ahly also played out a 0-0 draw in their opening fixture having been held by Inter Miami. They will be disappointed not to have claimed the win after dominating the first half, with Trezeguet also missing a penalty.
The Egyptians have been in good form lately and are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches across all competitions. Prior to the stalemate with Inter Miami, Jose Riviero’s men had scored 23 goals in their last nine matches, with a 6-0 victory over Pharco also among their results.
How the bookies view it: Palmeiras the favourites
Palmeiras have been installed as overwhelming favourites by the bookies, with BoyleSports offering 4/7 for a victory. A win for Al Ahly is valued at 9/2 while a draw has been set at odds of 11/4.
Head to head: Evenly matched teams
Both teams have claimed one win each in two previous Club World Cup meetings. Al Ahly won on penalties after a 0-0 draw in 2021 while Palmeiras claimed a 2-0 in 2022.
Players to watch: Reliable Estavao
Willian Estavao has scored 11 goals for Palmeiras this season in all competitions and will be the one to watch. The forward is often involved in the Brazilians side’s attacking play and can be tipped to get on the score sheet (Willian Estavao – anytime goalscorer at 2/1 with BoyleSports).
Trezeguet will be keen to make up for his missed penalty in the opening fixture and could be worth keeping an open eye on. The striker can be backed to find the net on Thursday (Trezeguet – anytime goalscorer at 9/2).
Probable line-ups:
Palmeiras have a fully fit squad and are expected to stick with much of the line-up that featured against Porto. The likes of Vitor Roque, Felipe Anderson and Estavao are set to retain their places in the team.
Al Ahly will be without star forward Emam Ashour after he suffered a broken collarbone against Inter Miami. In his absence, Zizo is expected to feature in attack while Trezeguet and Abou Ali Wessam keep their spots in the team.
Palmeiras: Weverton, Murilo, Gomez, Giay, Piquerez, Moreno, Rios, Anderson, Mauricio, Estavao, Roque
Al Ahly: El Shenawy, Kouka, Dari, Ibrahim, Hany, Ateya, Romdhane, Fathy, Trezeguet, Zizo, Ali
Anything else catch the eye?
Given the attacking quality on display both teams are likely to score here (BTTS YES valued at 10/11 with BoyleSports). Four of Palmeiras’ last six matches have provided over 2.5 goals, which is priced at 10/11.
Three of Palmeiras' last four matches have produced goals in both halves – available at 4/5.
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