FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP: The Ultra previews FLUMINENSE v AL-HILAL with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
FLUMINENSE V AL-HILAL
8pm The FIFA Club World Cup Quarter-Finals kick off on Friday night on BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE! We have a cracking two days ahead, but it’s fair to say not many football fans would have been expecting this opening tie! Al-Hilal shocked the footballing world by knocking out Manchester City on Monday night – their owner was in tears from the stands and it was just general “amazing scenes” to be honest! I know there’s a huge amount of money in the Saudi Arabia league at the moment, but the level is still pretty low – to knock out Manchester City was quite the achievement. Now, they actually have a good chance of getting to the Semi-Final!
In their way stand Fluminense – they were unbeaten at the Group stage but finished second behind Dortmund. That would have been expected when the draw was made to be honest, their opposition in the Last 16 wasn’t a surprise either as Inter Milan topped Group E. The shock came with Fluminense brushing Inter Milan aside with a 2-0 win on Monday night. Everyone was expecting an Inter Milan v Manchester City clash here, and we don’t even have one of them – Inter went into the game against Fluminense as the odds on favourites, and obviously Manchester City were exceptionally short to beat Al-Hilal. Only PSG were trading at a shorter price in the Last 16 stage.
Now, we have a very open betting heat. Al-Hilal come into the game as the favourites at 2.64 with Fluminense 2.86 and the draw is 3.55 at the time of writing. You’d have to say that Al-Hilal were exceptionally lucky to beat Manchester City – they finished the game with 31% possession and an xG of 1.79. To score four goals from that pretty much just sums up Manchester City’s season – they need some time off now and to re-group for the new Premier League season. It’ll actually be very interesting how they start – at times they have been all over the place this season! Obviously there was a huge gulf in class between the sides there, so Al-Hilal were always going to have to ride their luck if they got a result.
Fluminense also rode their luck. They finished the game with only marginally more possession than Al-Hilal. They had 32% possession against Inter Milan and finished the game with an xG of 1.16. They conceded an xG of 1.77, and it was just one of those nights for Inter in front of goal. In fairness to Fluminense, they took an early lead and defended it exceptionally well – closing the game out in injury time with a second goal. The reality here is we have two sides that have been a little lucky to get here, and they have looked a little average at times too. I feel it’s hard to make a strong case for either, and although we have an open betting heat I would have the market even more open. I would have both teams a little longer, and the draw a little shorter. The draw looks nice value at 3.55 in what should be a very close game.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Draw at 3.55 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/FluAlh
