Marcos Leonardo emerged as the hero for Al Hilal in their thrilling 4-3 extra-time victory over Manchester City. The Brazilian forward scored the crucial equaliser to drag his side back into the game before netting again in extra time to seal a historic win for Simone Inzaghi’s team. This result marked the first time a Saudi Pro League side has beaten a Premier League club in a competitive fixture.  

Typically deployed just behind Aleksandar Mitrović, Leonardo has been handed the chance to lead the line in the absence of the former Fulham striker. With three goals already at the Club World Cup, he has carried over his impressive form from the Saudi Pro League, where he scored 17 goals in 21 appearances during the 24/25 season. Notably, he averaged 1.44 shots on target per 90 minutes, underlining his consistent threat in front of goal.  

Fresh from his match winning brace against Manchester City, Leonardo will be full of confidence as he prepares to take on a resolute Fluminense side. The Brazilian outfit have demonstrated their defensive solidity in this tournament, but Leonardo’s sharpness and ability to hit the target make him a constant danger.

Ruben Neves delivered a standout performance in Al Hilal’s 4-3 victory over Manchester City, creating more chances than any other player (5) and providing an assist. The match proved he can still compete at the highest level, even against Europe’s elite. His role against Fluminense may be similar, though he could be forced into tactical fouls to disrupt their counterattacks - a risk given his disciplinary record.  

Neves has already received one yellow card at the Club World Cup, picked up in the group stage opener against Real Madrid. During the 24/25 Saudi Pro League season, he averaged 1.17 fouls committed per 90 minutes and collected six bookings in 26 appearances - only Hassan Al-Tambakti (8) was cautioned more often in Al Hilal’s squad.  

With Fluminense likely to pose a threat on the break, Neves may need to walk a fine line between breaking up play and avoiding further disciplinary trouble. His ability to control the tempo will be crucial, but his tendency to commit fouls could prove a double edged sword.

Al Hilal have seen 2+ goals in three of their four games at the Club World Cup so far. They saw seven goals as they came away 4-3 winners over Manchester City in the round of 16.

Fluminense have seen 2+ goals in two of their four games at the Club World Cup, with the other two games finishing as 0-0 draws. They are a strong defensive side but may need to come out of that shell here against an Al Hilal side that will be brimming with confidence having faced off against Manchester City and Real Madrid this tournament, avoiding defeat against both European heavyweights.

Both sides have threats in the final third, Jhon Arias has been a bright spark for Fluminense while Marcos Leonardo has been the standout for Al Hilal with three goals at the Club World Cup so far. 

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been impressive at the Club World Cup so far but is still searching for his first goal contribution of the tournament. He registered 25 goal contributions across his 51 appearances for Al Hilal during the 24/25 campaign.

Simone Inzaghi has deployed Milinkovic-Savic in a more advanced role across the four games so far which has seen the 30 year old have eight shots (1.85 per 90) and create four chances (0.92 per 90) so he is getting into areas where he can hurt the opposition, it is just about adding that final finish that has been missing from his game at the Club World Cup so far.

Milinkovic-Savic has a combined personal xG and xA of 1.13 which would suggest that some decent chances have fallen his way at the Club World Cup. He can continue to act as a physical presence in the box here and is also capable of striking from range which could be crucial u against what is expected to be a stubborn low block by Fluminense.

No Al Hilal player received more yellow cards during the 24/25 Saudi Pro League season than Hassan Al Tambakti (8). The centre back is yet to receive his first caution at the Club World Cup but this quarter final sets up the perfect conditions for him to catch the eye of the referee.

Al Tambakti is the aggressor of Al Hilal’s centre back pairing, he is usually alongside Koulibaly who isn’t as active in engaging with the opposition forwards. There will be scenarios here where Fluminese manage to pull together a counter attack, leaving Koulibaly and Al Tambakti at the mercy of some very quick players, like Jhon Arias who has been Fluminese’s standout attacking player so far.

Fluminense were shown four yellow cards in their 2-0 victory over Inter Milan in the round of 16. The Brazilian side committed 16 fouls in the game and only had 32% of the ball so they are more than comfortable without possession.

Fluminense have received 10 yellow cards across their four games at the Club World Cup so far (2.5 per game). Their likelihood of picking up cautions increases with every stage of the competition given how much the Club World Cup means to the Brazilian sides.