This is a really important game for Dortmund if they want to ensure that they do not lose control of a group that many tipped them to top before a ball was kicked at the Club World Cup. They drew their first game against Fluminense 0-0 but this wasn’t the most disastrous result as Fluminense are likely to be the toughest side that Dortmund have to face in this group. 

You would expect a more intense attacking performance from Dortmund here who looked a little laboured in their first game and they were also caught a bit off guard by Fluminense’s relentless pressing structure, which made it difficult for the German side to build their attacks. They should get more space and time against Mamelodi Sundowns here who are a side that are used to controlling and dominating games as the champions of South Africa but they may have to settle for a more stubborn performance here if they want to build on the three points they picked up against Ulsan in their first game of the Club World Cup. 

Dortmund should look to strike early here, a first half goal for Niko Kovac’s side would settle any nerves early on and allow Dortmund to settle into their usual rhythm, which wasn’t possible against Fluminense. Dortmund scored 30 first half goals across their 34 matches in the Bundesliga during the 24/25 season, which suggests that they can start games strongly and should be able to get their noses in front before the half time whistle against a side that they are expected to beat over the 90 minutes.

Portugal U21 have been the strongest side at the tournament so far. They won two of their three group games without conceding a goal, while netting nine in the process. Geovany Quenda has been particularly outstanding, with the future Chelsea winger registering five goal contributions at the tournament already. 

Of the nine goals that Portugal have managed to score at the tournament so far, five have come in the first 45 minutes of their games. They will be hoping that the Netherlands will be as open at the back as they were during the group stages in which they only managed to keep one clean sheet and conceded four goals, three of these were scored in the first period which suggests that Netherlands can start games slowly which is something that a rampant Portugese side will be able to take advantage of early on here. 

Fluminense showed that they aren’t just here to make up the numbers in their 0-0 draw with group favourites Dortmund with the Brazilian side unlucky not to come away with all three points when looking at the quality of chances they created. Fluminense had 14 shots in their opening game, forcing Gregor Kobel into making five saves. 

They should continue to get joy against an Ulsan side which looks to be the weakest in the group after losing 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in their opening fixture at the Club World Cup. The goal that Ulsan conceded did come in the first half with Iqraam Rayners striking after 36 minutes to give Mamelodi Sundowns the lead, that goal was enough to secure victory but the Sundowns could have added to it with Miguel Cardoso’s side having 68% of the ball and 14 shots in the game, resulting in an xG of 1.36. 

Fluminense can take plenty of confidence from their performance in the opening game of the Club World Cup and strike early on in a game that they are heavily expected to win, ramping up the pressure on Niko Kovac and Dortmund who have an awkward game themselves against an energetic Mamelodi Sundowns side who are threatening to make this group more complicated than many first thought.