Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense predictions: Arias on song in Miami
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- Jhon Arias has scored two and assisted one in his last four Club World Cup games
- The Colombian also hit the post twice in the 2023 Club World Cup semi-final
- Recommended Bet: Jhon Arias to score or assist
Mamelodi Sundowns and Fluminense face off at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium for a place in the FIFA Club World Cup knockout rounds on Wednesday night.
Group F is delicately poised with Fluminense level on four points with Borussia Dortmund, one clear of the surprising South African side.
Mamelodi Sundowns beat Ulsan HD in their opener to steal a march on Fluminense, who held Dortmund to a 0-0 draw.
Miguel Cardoso's men then put in a spirited display in a 4-3 defeat to the Germans, while Fluminense fought back to beat Ulsan HD 4-2.
Tricolor, the beaten finalists in the last edition of the Club World Cup, know a draw is enough to reach the round of 16 but only a win is likely to be good enough for their opponents.
Team news
Mamelodi Sundowns striker Lebo Mothiba appeared to pull a muscle during Saturday's defeat against Borussia Dortmund and now faces a late fitness test.
Tashreeq Matthews replaced Arthur Sales in the starting line-up against the Bundesliga side, and the ex-Dortmund midfielder is expected to keep his place.
Fluminense are without midfielder Otavio and forward Yeferson Soteldo, who were ruled out at the start of the tournament.
Nonato and Keno, who both scored after coming off the bench against Ulsan HD, are expected to start, while Everaldo, who also impressed as a substitute, could be in line for a chance again in attack.
The stats
Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund both know a point in their games would take them through.
Mamelodi Sundowns would go through with a win, while Ulsan HD are out.
Fluminense are unbeaten in eight matches and have scored at least two goals in six of those.
Only four clubs at the Club World Cup (Bayern Munich, Pachuca, Inter Milan and Benfica) had attempted more shots than Fluminense after two group games.
Mamelodi Sundowns have won only one of their last four matches.
Only three clubs (Boca Juniors, Monterrey and Auckland City) had produced fewer shots on target than Mamelodi Sundowns through two group stage matches.
Prediction
The exciting and open nature of both teams' second group games suggests another thriller could be on the cards.
Mamelodi Sundowns frightened Dortmund in sweltering conditions in Cincinnati with their attacking instincts, although they were punished for two costly mistakes at the back.
The South Africans' best chance of progression is to adopt a similar approach against a Fluminense side that were caught out at the back by Ulsan last time out.
Fluminense's forward play made the difference when the game opened up, with Colombian attacking midfielder Arias showing his class with a goal and an assist.
He takes free-kicks and penalties for Flu and looks a good option to add to his tally of three goal contributions in four Club World Cup matches.
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