Manchester City will get their Club World Cup campaign up and running against Moroccan outfit Wydad AC.
As one of the favourites for the new FIFA Club World Cup, much is expected of Manchester City as they kick off their campaign on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola’s new-look squad are pitted against Wydad AC from Morocco in their opening Group G contest and, after a trophyless season, the Premier League side will have a point to prove.
Despite a couple of familiar names in their opponent’s squad, City are expected to ease through this first encounter and go deep in the tournament, as they currently feature among the favourites in the Club World Cup odds.
Manchester City v Wydad AC Tips
- Over 2.5 Goals @ 3/10
- Both Teams to Score – No @ 1/3
- Erling Haaland to score two or more goals @ 7/5
- Over 6.5 Total Corners @ 1/8
Pays out at 7/2
City can make an early statement
The Man City hierarchy have already signalled their intent for the Citizens to go deep in this event and Guardiola will want to see signs that the 2024/25 season is behind his team.
This fixture looks like the perfect opportunity to get off to a winning start in Group G, which also includes Juventus and Al Ain.
For much of last season, City struggled defensively with the manager chopping and changing to try and find a solution.
Guardiola’s men did keep three clean sheets in their last four Premier League games and they should be comfortable against a team that finished third in the Moroccan top flight.
At the other end of the pitch, City weren’t their usual fluid self but were still second in the scoring charts, with only champions Liverpool ahead of them.
Leg 1: Over 2.5 Goals @ 3/10
Leg 2: Both Teams to Score – No @ 1/3
Haaland fighting fit
Erling Haaland had a disappointing season by his own high standards, but the Norwegian still scored 31 goals in all competitions.
No fewer than 22 of those came in the Premier League, including 12 against teams that finished in the bottom seven.
When City dominate weaker teams, Haaland will often play a big role, and that looks likely to be the case again, this time in the USA.
The former Borussia Dortmund man was also on the scoresheet in both of Norway’s internationals earlier this month, against Italy and Estonia.
Leg 3: Erling Haaland to score two or more goals @ 7/5
City pressure can lead to corners
With City likely to control possession, Guardiola’s men could win plenty of set pieces and should dominate the corner count.
Nobody had more corners than City in the Premier League during 2024/25, with 253 won in 38 games – an average of 6.65 per match.
With Wydad expected to do plenty of last-ditch defending, the target of over 6.5 corners in this game looks very achievable.
Leg 4: Over 6.5 Total Corners @ 1/8
