Club World Cup: Predictions for Wednesday's games
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Alex Wrigley
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Cristian Chivu's Inter Milan need to beat Group E leaders River Plate to ensure progress
Cristian Chivu's Inter Milan need to beat Group E leaders River Plate to ensure progress

- Inter Milan need a win to guarantee top-two place, while River Plate need to avoid defeat
- Monterrey need to win final game and hope there is a loser in the other match
- Fluminense can qualify from Group F with a draw against Mamelodi Sundowns
- Borussia Dortmund guarantee progress if they avoid defeat

None of the eight teams involved in Wednesday’s FIFA Club World Cup games are guaranteed a position in the knockout rounds, with six of them still in with a chance of making the final 16.

The top two in Group E face off on Wednesday as River Plate take on Inter Milan, with Monterrey knowing that a win over Urawa Reds may be enough to sneak into the top two.

Borussia Dortmund, sitting second in Group F, need a result against eliminated Ulsan HD to guarantee their passage, while Mamelodi Sundowns are hoping to upset the odds against Fluminense.

Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan HD (Wednesday, 8pm)

Borussia Dortmund were kept at bay by an impressive Fluminense side in their opener, but their free-scoring ways returned as they put four past Mamelodi Sundowns last time out.

However, they allowed the South African side 2.74 expected goals in that tie and conceded three times, so Ulsan HD may be able to find the net in defeat after scoring twice against Fluminense in their last fixture.

The South Korean side shipped four against the Brazilians, and with Dortmund scoring exactly four goals in three of their last five matches, a high-scoring win for the Germans should send them through.

Score prediction: Borussia Dortmund 4-1 Ulsan HD

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense (Wednesday, 8pm)

A draw would be enough to send Fluminense through to the knockout rounds, and that could be the end result against a Mamelodi Sundowns side that have impressed so far.

The South African side were major underdogs in Group F, but they were unfortunate to lose a seven-goal thriller against Borussia Dortmund. They outshot their illustrious opponents 16-8 and generated 2.74 expected goals to Dortmund’s 1.72.

They did give themselves a fighting chance when they beat Ulsan HD in their opener, but Fluminense can settle for a draw safe in the knowledge that it is enough to take them to the last 16.

Score prediction: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Fluminense

Inter Milan vs River Plate (Thursday, 2am)

Marcelo Gallardo's River Plate are top going into the final game but need a positive result to be sure of progression
Marcelo Gallardo's River Plate are top going into the final game but need a positive result to be sure of progression

A draw would leave Inter Milan at the mercy of the other result, but the Italian side can keep their fate in their own hands with a win over River Plate on Thursday morning.

With the sides locked on four points apiece, River Plate will try to hold out for a point to qualify on goal difference, but they were fortunate to beat Urawa Reds in their opener, and Inter have performed better than their results suggest.

They dominated in their draw with Monterrey and perhaps deserved a bigger margin of victory against Urawa Reds, although their lack of clean sheets may give the Argentinian side a chance to hit back.

Score prediction: Inter Milan 2-1 River Plate

Urawa Red Diamonds vs Monterrey (Thursday, 2am)

Monterrey need a win to stand any chance of qualifying from Group E, and they should be able to scrape three points against the eliminated Urawa Red Diamonds.

In all truth, Monterrey’s back-to-back draws are more than they deserved after being dominated in both matches, but Urawa Reds have nothing to play for in Pasadena, and that could make a big difference.

Should the other game in Group E end all square, Monterrey would need to win by two clear goals to move above Inter Milan, but the Mexicans have not shown they are capable of a comfortable victory, and a tight affair is expected.

Score prediction: Urawa Red Diamonds 0-1 Monterrey

Tags

Borussia DortmundUlsan HyundaiMamelodi Sundowns FCFluminenseInterUrawa Red DiamondsRiver PlateMonterreyFIFA Club World Cup
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