The opening fixture of Club World Cup Group G sees tournament minnows Al Ain take on the mighty Juventus at D.C. United’s Audi Field.
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Although few would believe Al Ain have any realistic chance of overcoming their Italian adversaries, the UAE Pro League outfit have previously sprung a surprise at FIFA’s flagship international club competition.
Seven years ago, Al Ain caused a major upset by reaching the final of the 2018 Club World Cup. Entering the tournament as hosts and playing each of their opening three contests on home soil, the club nicknamed ‘The Boss’ swept aside several high-quality opponents en route to the showpiece in Abu Dhabi. After beating New Zealanders Team Wellington in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout and comfortably dispatching Tunisian champions Espérance de Tunis, Al Ain prevailed on spot-kicks once again to eliminate Argentinian giants River Plate at the semi-final stage. The Emiratis would go on to lose heavily to Real Madrid at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, but deservedly earned plenty of praise for delivering a miraculous run of results.
Although they’ve never previously featured at the Club World Cup ahead of the tournament’s expanded 2025 edition, Juventus have twice lifted the now-defunct Intercontinental Cup. The Bianconeri overcame Argentinos Juniors and River Plate to win the annual contest between UEFA and CONMEBOL representatives in 1985 and 1996 respectively.
The two teams clash in the U.S. capital early on Thursday morning (BST), several hours after fellow Group G participants Manchester City and Wydad AC kick off the fifth day of Club World Cup action at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.
Al Ain v Juventus, Thursday, 02:00 BST
Al Ain v Juventus tips
Juventus – Half Time/Full Time: 8/11 (bet365)
Juventus to win and BTTS – Yes: 15/8 (bet365)
Dušan Vlahović to score two or more goals: 7/2 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Put your faith in the favourites
Given the respective size and histories of these two clubs, there is a real David v Goliath feel to this contest.
Boasting a bulging trophy cabinet, a colossal worldwide fan base, and considerable commercial muscle, Juventus are undoubtedly a footballing powerhouse. Having acquired an eye-watering eight European titles and secured more Scudettos than anyone else in Italy, the ‘Old Lady’ have enjoyed periods of domination on both the domestic and continental stage. While Al Ain are the UAE’s most decorated club, their achievements pale into insignificance against the all-conquering exploits of the Turin giants. According to the calculations of master statisticians Opta, Al Ain would rank 5,074th in an extensive list of the world’s best football clubs. Of the 32 teams competing in the U.S. this summer, only part-timers Auckland City rank lower.
As if the chasm between this pair wasn’t great enough, Al Ain are still reeling from a seriously underwhelming 2024/25 campaign. Having dispensed of the services of Argentinian legend Hernán Crespo early on and watched replacement Leonardo Jardim leave his post to join Cruzeiro, club president Mohamed bin Zayed appointed former AEK Athens midfielder Vladimir Ivić as Head Coach. By that stage, Al Ain had been eliminated at the quarter-final stage of both domestic cups by a mediocre Al Jazira side and failed to win a single AFC Champions League group stage tie. The Serbian tactician did manage to inspire his players to a seven-match unbeaten run in the final weeks of the league season, but could only muster a lowly fifth-place finish.
Nevertheless, their opponents have also struggled this term. After squeezing through the opening phase Champions League, Juve were abruptly dumped out of the competition by PSV Eindhoven. Things weren’t much better on the domestic front, exiting the Coppa Italia via a penalty shootout defeat to Empoli before concluding the Serie A campaign a sizeable 12 points behind champions Napoli.
However, Juventus usually come good in major competitions. The Bianconeri qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup by virtue of their recent stellar continental performance, advancing to the Champions League knockout rounds in three of the previous five seasons and competing at the semi-final stage of the Europa League in 2023.
Therefore, Al Ain rightly head into Thursday’s meeting as huge underdogs….
Betting tip: Juventus – Half Time/Full Time: 8/11
Explanation: This bet will land if Juventus are leading at half-time and go on to win the match.
Don’t expect a thrashing
After watching Bayern Munich put ten past Auckland City on Sunday afternoon, you would be forgiven for assuming Juventus may clock up a fair few goals against inferior opposition.
However, the stats suggest a high-scoring affair is unlikely. Igor Tudor’s men managed to register a modest 58 goals throughout their 2024/25 league campaign, only one more than ninth-placed Bologna. Furthermore, Juve had the second-lowest goal tally amongst the 24 teams who progressed from the newly revamped Champions League group stage, finding the net just nine times in eight matches. The Italians’ attacking efforts won’t be helped by the presence of Al Ain’s steely defence, who only shipped 32 goals throughout the entirety of last season’s UAE Pro League.
There’s also evidence to suggest the seven-time President Cup winners will carry a substantial goal threat of their own, after scoring more goals than eight teams in the AFC Champions League West Division despite being cast adrift at the foot of the table.
Betting tip: Juventus to win and BTTS – Yes: 15/8
Explanation: This bet will win if Juventus triumph and Al Ain score at least one goal.
Dušan Vlahović to continue his goalscoring purple patch
Although Juventus have found goals hard to come by of late, unflappable striker Dušan Vlahović has continued to deliver the goods. The Serbian international concluded last term at the summit of the Bianconeri’s scoring charts, recording 15 goals across all competitions.
In addition to claiming almost a fifth of his team’s total league goals, the predatory marksman registered a staggering 20 shots in European outings – considerably more than any other player in the famous black and white jersey – during the 2024/25 campaign. Furthermore, Vlahović bagged a brace on three separate occasions last term, netting twice in away triumphs over Hellas Verona, Genoa, and RB Leipzig. Could he replicate this achievement once again in Washington, D.C.?
Betting tip: Dušan Vlahović to score two or more goals: 7/2
Explanation: This bet wins if Dušan Vlahović finds the net on at least two occasions.
Al Ain v Juventus odds
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.
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