Club World Cup: Sundowns vs. Fluminense – Preview, lineups, our tips

It may not look like a fight for survival between the Mamelodi Sundowns and Fluminense coming into Match 42, But with Dortmund very likely to dismantle Ulsan HD in the other group match, only one can go through here.

Here’s the Sporting Base’s guide and insights for this all-important Group F match-up.

How to watch

• When: Thursday, 5am (AEST)
• Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
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Expected lineups

• Mamelodi Sundowns (4-1-4-1): Williams, Mudau, Cupido, Kekana, Lunga, Mokoena, Lucas Ribeiro, Zwane, Allende, Matthews, Rayners
• Fluminense (4-2-3-1): Fabio, Guga, Silva, Freytes, Gabriel Fuentes, Martinelli, Hercules, Arias, Ganso, Serna, Cano

Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Fluminense

The fact Dortmund feels like a shoo-in as one of the two Group F qualifiers adds an air of occasion to this Wednesday (local time) meeting. The question then quickly becomes which team can step up to the occasion when asked. The Sporting Base sees Brazil’s Fluminense being the better of these two challengers on the day.

Sundowns proved they can kick it with the big dogs when they gave Dortmund an almighty 4–3 scare in Cincinnati, though, and you can bet your last dollar any victory Fluminense takes away from their last group match won’t come easily.

Fluminense’s defensive work against Ulsan HD (when they had to recover from 1–2 down to win 4–2 earlier this week) left something to be desired, too, so we can only imagine Sundowns will find the back of the net at least once against the Brazilian stalwarts.

Certainly good luck then that the Serie A representatives have Germán Cano and Keno back after injury worries; conversely, Sundowns could be without striker Lebo Mothiba, who pulled a muscle during the Dortmund loss. Fluminense’s wealth of attacking threats — and the fact they’re healthy — will be the difference in this likely Group F decider.

• Our prediction: Mamelodi Sundowns 1–2 Fluminense
• Goalscorer tip: Germán Cano
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