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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kick-off: 1900, 07/02/2023
Stadium: Ibn Batouta Stadium
Brazilian giants Flamengo are expected to prove too strong for Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals in Morocco.
These same teams met at this stage in 2019, when the South American outfit came from behind to prevail 3-1 in Qatar.
We’re taking 15/8 for the favourites to oblige and both teams to score again for our first Flamengo vs Al Hilal prediction.
Brazilian clubs always treat this competition seriously and Flamengo would no doubt love to lift the trophy for the first time.
The opening three renewals were won by teams from that country, but success has eluded them since Corinthians edged out Chelsea in 2012.
Flamengo came close four years ago when beaten in extra-time by Liverpool in the final and are aiming to go one better here.
Rubro-Negro qualified thanks to shading Athletico Paranaense in the Copa Libertadores decider, with Gabriel Barbosa grabbing the only goal of the game.
Former Chelsea, Arsenal and PSG defender David Luiz and ex-Juventus and Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal are familiar faces with great experience.
Striker Pedro was part of Brazil’s World Cup squad, while fellow front man Barbosa featured in the Selecao’s 2021 Copa America campaign.
Among their younger players, 18-year-old midfielder Victor Hugo has a bright future ahead of him.
Well-travelled head coach Vitor Pereira achieved success in Europe with Porto and Olympiacos, as well as securing a title triumph in China with Shanghai SIPG.
Al Hilal will have the advantage of already coming through one round, so could be competitive for a while, but Flamengo get our vote to eventually prove a class apart.
Looking at the Flamengo vs Al Hilal odds, we like 16/5 for Draw HT/Flamengo FT.
Al Hilal have featured in two of the last three stagings of this event, finishing fourth on both occasions after good early wins and then hard-fought defeats.
The Blue Wave can boast some proven performers up front, as Moussa Marega managed to bag 72 goals in 190 games with Porto, while ex-Watford and Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo always brings great energy.
Salem Al-Dawsari and Saleh Al-Shehri shot to fame when scoring in Saudi Arabia’s shock 2-1 victory over Argentina at the World Cup.
Full-back Saud Abdulhamid also caught the eye at Qatar 2022, Gustavo Cuellar has 29 caps for Colombia and Luciano Vietto was once with Villarreal and Atletico Madrid.
Former River Plate and Paraguay boss Ramon Diaz spent time with Napoli, Fiorentina, Inter Milan and Monaco as a player.
Al Hilal looked set for an early exit when trailing home hopes Wyad Casablanca in front of a lively crowd but Mohamed Kanno’s last-gasp penalty saved them.
The tie eventually went to a shoot-out and after Morocco star Yahya Attiat-Allah hit the woodwork for Wyad, Al Hilal were successful with all five spot-kicks.
Teenager Musab Al-Juwayr was left to bang in the final penalty and South Korea defender Jang Hyunsoo told FIFA+: “We won because we believe in each other.
“We are taking it step by step. We are a strong team with good players and good tactics, so we are just going to play our own game.”
The underdogs now have the experience not to be overawed by this challenge and give it a real go, but this is still a tough task.
Let’s add 29/4 for a 2-1 success to South America to complete our Flamengo vs Al Hilal betting tips.
Additional stats
Head-to-head: Flamengo 3-1 Al Hilal
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