Fluminense vs Al Hilal Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025 FIFA Club World Cup | Quarter-Final

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We already have a guaranteed surprise entrant into the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup as Brazilian outfit Fluminense take on Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. 

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV & online: UK – DAZN & Channel 5 / US – DAZN

Fluminense team news: Rene suspended

Fluminense are dealing with a couple of issues for this one, as Rene is missing through suspension, whilst Matheus Martinelli is also an injury doubt. The Brazilians switched to a back three the other day, and that helped to see off Internazionale in the Round of 16.

Predicted XI (3-5-2): Fabio; Ignacio, Silva, Freytes; Samuel Xavier, Nonato, Facundo Bernal, Guga; Ganso; Jhon Arias, German Cano

Unavailable: Rene (Suspended)

Questionable: Matheus Martinelli (Injured)

Al Hilal team news: Probably switching back

Much like Fluminense, Al Hilal also switched to a back three in their defeat of Manchester City, but a 4-2-3-1 seems the likelier formation for this one. Aleksandar Mitrovic has been left out of the match day squad for the last few games.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Bono; Cancelo, Tambakti, Koulibaly, Renan Lodi; Neves, Milinkovic-Savic; Malcom, N. Al Dawsari, S. Al Dawsari; Marcos Leonardo

Unavailable: 

Questionable: 

Key stats

• Fluminense meet Al Hilal in the only one of the four 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals not to feature a European team.
• Both teams have progressed through to the quarter-finals without losing a match, each with two wins and two draws from their four games (W2 D2 L0).
• This is the first FIFA competition match between Fluminense and Al Hilal.
• Fluminense’s one previous FIFA encounter against Asian opposition came in the group stage of this tournament when they came back from a 2-1 half-time deficit to defeat Ulsan HD of Korea Republic 4-2 in East Rutherford, Jhon Arias, Nonato, Juan Pablo Freytes and Keno scoring the goals.
• Although this is Al Hilal’s first encounter with a South American side at this tournament, they have faced Brazilian opponents twice before at the competition now known as the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, losing 3-1 to Fluminense’s arch rivals Flamengo in the 2019 semi-final, then defeating the same opponents 3-2 at the same stage in 2022. Salem Al Dawsari scored once in the first match and twice – both penalties – in the second.
• Fluminense are unbeaten in their last ten outings in all competitions, winning seven and drawing three (W7 D3 L0).
• Fluminense have kept five clean sheets in their last six competitive games.
• All six of the Brazilians’ goals so far at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ have been netted by different players.
• Al Hilal are the only AFC team through to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup™.
• Al Hilal have lost only one of their last 14 outings in all competitions (W8 D5 L1) and are now unbeaten in nine (W6 D3 L0).
• Three of Al Hilal’s goals in their 4-3 round of 16 win against Manchester City were scored by Brazilians – two from Marcos Leonardo and one from Malcom. Also involved in the game were the club’s other two Brazilians, Renan Lodi and substitute Kaio César. All four of those players began their careers in Brazil before moving to Europe, Marcos Leonardo with Santos (2020-23), Malcom with Corinthians (2014-16), Renan Lodi with Athletico Paranaense (2016-19), and Kaio César with Coritiba (2023).
• Al Hilal’s Renan Lodi was in Brazil’s 2021 CONMEBOL Copa América squad – captained by Fluminense skipper Thiago Silva.
• Fluminense captain Thiago Silva and Al Hilal’s Kalidou Koulibaly were fellow centre-backs with Chelsea in 2022/23.
• Al Hilal’s Marcos Leonardo played at Santos with Fluminense pair Yeferson Soteldo (2020-21) and Nonato (2023).

Fluminense vs Al Hilal prediction

Fluminense came into the tournament as arguably the weakest of the four Brazilian sides, but they have the best chance to make the final four. They began with a goalless draw against Borussia Dortmund before taking four points from Ulsan Hyundai and the Mamelodi Sundowns, and then managing to comfortably defeat Inter the other day.

Simone Inzaghi took charge of Al Hilal just days before the tournament began and they put in some excellent performances in the group stages, including a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid. The Saudi Arabians then produced a thrilling 4-3 after extra-time defeat of Manchester City in the Round of 16 the other day.

Fluminense have been controlled but they will fancy their chances of challenging Al Hilal this week so an entertaining encounter is to be expected for this one.

Fluminense vs Al Hilal tip: Both teams to score