The FIFA Club World Cup knockout rounds kick off on Saturday. Brazilian clubs have fared well in this tournament, but many European giants are still in contention too.
Some of the most exciting features will be the all-Brazilian affair between Palmeiras and Botafogo and the clash between Benfica and Chelsea, which will be a repeat of the 2013 UEFA Europa League final.
FIFA Club World Cup Knockout Rounds Kick Off: Palmeiras vs. Botafogo (28 June, 18:00)
Palmeiras (2.41) finished top of Group A ahead of Inter Miami, Porto and Al Ahly. They will go head-to-head with Brazilian rivals Botafogo (3.45) in the round of 16. The match will take place at Lincoln Financial Field.
Botafogo finished second in Group B, behind European champions PSG but ahead of Spanish giants Atlético Madrid and American side Seattle Sounders.
Benfica vs. Chelsea (28 June, 22:00)
Benfica and Chelsea have come up against each other on several occasions at the highest level. In 2012, the Blues knocked the Portuguese giants out of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in a two-legged tie en route to the title. The London side, then coached by Roberto Di Matteo, won both legs.
The following year, they met again in the Europa League final, with Chelsea once again triumphing 2-1. By that time, Rafa Benitez had taken over as Chelsea’s interim head coach. However, the outcome was the same.
Benfica will hope to fare better when the teams face off again at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.
PSG vs. Inter Miami (29 June, 18:00)
Lionel Messi will face his former side as Inter Miami go up against Paris Saint-Germain at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Messi did not have the happiest of times at PSG. He won the World Cup with Argentina during his second season there, but noted that they hesitated to celebrate him to any major degree due to the fact that they were a French club. In his first season at PSG, he struggled to adapt on the pitch and played below his usual high standard.
Messi is now once again excelling for Inter Miami while remaining influential for Argentina. All ended well for PSG, too, as they won this year’s UEFA Champions League final against Internazionale Milano.
Flamengo vs. Bayern Munich (29 June, 22:00)
Bayern Munich were surprisingly beaten to top spot in their group by Benfica. They will come up against Brazilian giants Flamengo, who shocked Chelsea 3-1 in the group stage. The clash will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Internazionale vs. Fluminense (30 June, 21:00)
UEFA Champions League finalists Inter will come up against Fluminense, who edged into second place in Group F ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns. Sundowns dominated possession when the two teams faced off, but the match finished in a 0-0 draw.
Manchester City vs. Al Hilal (1 July, 03:00)
Al Hilal’s João Cancelo will come up against his former club as Manchester City and Al Hilal face off at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Manchester City finished top of Group G, beating Juventus 5-2 to clinch first place. As arguably the most dominant side in the tournament to date, they will be tough to beat.
Pick of the FIFA Club World Cup Fixtures: Real Madrid vs. Juventus (1 July, 21:00)
Two giants collide as pre-tournament favourites Real Madrid face off with Italian side Juventus at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
This will be Xabi Alonso’s biggest test to date as Real Madrid head coach. Juventus may have lost to Manchester City, but they are always a tough team to beat.
Dortmund vs. Monterrey (2 July, 03:00)
After a strong finish to the Bundesliga season, Borussia Dortmund (1.80) were not at their best in the FIFA Club World Cup Group F. However, they still progressed to the last 16 due to narrow wins over Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan after a draw with Fluminense.
Next up lies Sergio Ramos’ Monterrey (4.40), whom they will face in the last 16 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Conclusion: Thrilling FIFA Club World Cup Action
The last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup will see several top teams go head-to-head. There have been many upsets already in this tournament, so soccer betting enthusiasts in South Africa will know they have ample opportunity to find value in some mouthwatering knockout action.
