The 2025 Club World Cup quarter-finals kick off with a surprise showdown as Al Hilal and Fluminense, two underdogs who've taken down European heavyweights, go head-to-head at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. With a semi-final berth on the line, only one Cinderella story will continue.
Al Hilal have looked reborn under new boss Simone Inzaghi. In just four matches, he’s sparked a dramatic turnaround. After holding Real Madrid to a draw and advancing from the group, the Saudi giants pulled off a stunner, beating Manchester City 4-3 in extra time. It marked the first time an Asian club has defeated a European side in a FIFA tournament, ending a 21-match drought.
Fluminense, meanwhile, are fueled by experience and firepower. At 44, Fabio remains a wall in goal. Thiago Silva anchors the backline at 40, while 37-year-old Germán Cano keeps banging in goals. With Colombian playmaker Jhon Arias running the show, the Brazilian side shocked Inter Milan, eliminating last year's European runners-up.
According to Betfair, Al Hilal are slight favorites to move on: their win is priced at 6/4, and a semifinal spot at 5/6. Fluminense, however, aren’t far behind with odds of 1/1 to win. A draw after 90 minutes pays 12/5.
The Sporting News presents odds and predictions to bet and make the match more exciting.
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Al Hilal vs. Fluminense prediction, tips, bet builder and odds for Club World Cup clash
Fluminense to keep a second-half clean sheet: 21/20 (Betway)
Manager Renato Portaluppi has built his side from the back—and it shows. Fluminense have allowed just two goals in four Club World Cup outings, shutting out both Inter and Dortmund. They’ve kept a clean sheet after halftime in six straight international matches, including Sudamericana clashes. Expect that late-game solidity again here.
Jhon Arias to score or assist: 5/4 (Betway)
Arias is proving to be one of the breakout stars of the tournament. The 27-year-old has torched defenses with his pace and creativity, logging 13 assists in 32 games this season. He’s been surgical in the U.S., completing 88% of his passes and tallying 12 key passes. With four goals this year and four shots on target already in this tournament, he’s a constant threat to unlock Al Hilal’s backline.
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Fluminense vs. Al Hilal predicted lineups, team news
Fluminense will be without left-back Rene, who has triggered a yellow card suspension and will be unable to participate in this match. He is one of 10 players on the squad to have been booked thus far, but he's the only one to this point with multiple shown.
The win over Inter came at a cost, as midfielder Martinelli was seen struggling shortly after halftime. If he's unable to participate, he could be replaced by Hercules who came off the bench as his replacement and scored the victory-sealing goal late. They are already without 31-year-old midfielder Otavio, who is recovering from an Achilles tear suffered back in March.
Fluminense possess strong veteran leadership, as 37-year-old striker German Cano, 40-year-old Thiago Silva, and 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio have all played major roles in their push to the quarterfinals this summer.
- Fluminense predicted XI (3-4-1-2, right to left): Fabio (GK) — Ignacio, T. Silva, Freytes — Xavier, Hercules, Bernal, Fuentes — Nonato — Arias, Cano.
Injured: Martinelli (doubt), Otavio (Achilles).
Suspended: Rene (yellow cards).
On a yellow: Cano, Freytes, Santos, Arias, Bernal, Fabio, Keno, Martinelli, Nonato.
Incredibly, Al Hilal have reached this stage with star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic sidelined by a calf injury, leaving Simone Inzaghi's attacking options compromised. That has left Marcos Leonardo to step in and fill the void, which he has done brilliantly, scoring a brace against Man City to bring the 22-year-old Brazilian's total at the competition to three goals and one assist.
The attacking ranks were further thinned when captain Salem Aldawsari scored a wonderful lob against Pachuca in the group stage, but he suffered a hamstring injury shortly after that is set to keep him out for six weeks. Mohamed Kanno has taken over for him on the right wing.
Attacking full-back Joao Cancelo got the best of his former club Man City in the Round of 16 and should be set for another start, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has once again starred on a global stage after the Morocco international burst onto the scene at the 2022 World Cup.
- Al Hilal predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Bono (GK) — Cancelo, Al-Harbi, Koulibaly, Lodi— N. Aldawsari, Neves — Kanno, Milinkovic-Savic, Malcom — Leonardo.
Injured: Mitrovic (calf), Aldawsari (hamstring).
Suspended: None.
On a yellow card: Leonardo, Lodi, Koulibaly, Neves, Al Qahtani, Al Harbi.
Al Hilal vs. Fluminense predicted score and most likely results
Here's some of the most likely results for this Club World Cup match-up, according to Betfair.
| Result | Odds |
|---|---|
| Draw 1-1 | 11/2 |
| Draw 0-0 | 10/1 |
| Fluminense 1-0 | 8/1 |
| Al Hilal 1-0 | 15/2 |
| Al Hilal 2-1 | 9/1 |
| Fluminense 2-1 | 19/2 |
How to watch Al Hilal vs. Fluminense in Club World Cup action
- Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
- Venue: Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida
- Time: 8:00 p.m. BST
- TV/Streaming: Channel 5, DAZN
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