FIFA Club World Cup 2019 2nd Round – Al-Hilal vs Esperance de Tunis Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When does Al-Hilal vs Esperance de Tunis kick off? Saturday, December 14th (14:00 UK / 17:00 local)
Where is Al-Hilal vs Esperance de Tunis being played? Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
What TV channel is Al-Hilal vs Esperance de Tunis on? Al-Hilal vs Esperance de Tunis will be televised live on BBC iPlayer / BBC Sport Website
Where can I stream Al-Hilal vs Esperance de Tunis? Al-Hilal vs Esperance de Tunis will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer / BBC Sport Website
Where can I get tickets for Al-Hilal vs Esperance de Tunis? Ticket details can be found here!
THE TEAM NEWS
AL-HILAL
- Saudi club Al-Hilal were the final team to qualify for the FIFA World Club Cup as they won the AFC Champions League in November in a two-legged affair to overcome Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 on aggregate.
- Their form domestically has been exceptional so far this season also as they top the Saudi Pro League so they will be confident coming into this tournament of transferring their form into this prestigious competition.
- They have a number of star foreign players in their ranks that include Italian playmaker Sebastian Giovinco, French striker Bafetimbi Gomis, Peruvian winger Andre Carrillo and Brazilian Carlos Eduardo who has scored eight goals in nine league games, so they possess good quality in the squad.
ESPERANCE DE TUNIS
- Tunisian side Esperance de Tunis qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup by winning the CAF Champions League as they beat Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca in a controversial final that ended abruptly in the second leg when Casablanca refused to play on after being denied a goal that was deemed not to have crossed the goal-line.
- While they sit sixth in the Tunisian Ligue 1, they have played four or five games less than all the other teams and they have won five and drawn one of their six games so far, so they have good form as they head to Qatar.
- Forwards Anice Badri and Yassine Khenissi are their main threats going forward and will be key to their hopes while they will hope recent signings Bonsu and Outtara can make positive impacts in this tournament.
THE PREDICTION
These two teams are in Qatar on merit having won their confederations’ Champions League and rightly hold bragging rights of being the best teams in the Asian and African continents. Al-Hilal have the star power and greater quality in their ranks in terms of their big-name foreign players and that will likely swing it in their favour. Gomis, Giovinco, Carrillo and Carlos Eduardo will all be keen to impress on the world stage, and they should have too much quality for the Tunisian side. It may take some time to break them down, but the quality of Giovinco from set-pieces and in open play can unlock their defence eventually.
