Fluminense vs Al Hilal picks from SBR's Gary Pearson for Friday's Club World Cup quarterfinal match:
Fluminense vs. Al Hilal prediction: Fluminense to advance (+100 via FanDuel)
Over/Under prediction: Under 2.5 goals (-120 via Caesars)
Best player prop pick: Marcos Leonardo anytime goal (+175 via DraftKings)
"No matter the sport, defense wins titles.
That's the theory I'm employing in a potentially unpredictable quarterfinal between two teams that, before the Club World Cup adopted an expanded format, had about as much chance of playing each other as the San Jose Sharks and the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Stanley Cup Final.
I'm as floored by that statement as I'm by Fluminense's defensive prowess. Excluding a bizarre and wacky 10 minutes before the interval against Ulsan, in which they allowed two goals, Fluminense haven't conceded a goal at the Club World Cup.
That's four matches minus 10 minutes of flawless defensive work.
Going back a wee bit further, the Brazilian side has conceded once in the last six.
While Al Hilal exploded for four goals against an out-of-sorts Man City defense, they netted three times in the previous three matches. I expect Renato Portaluppi's side to smother and suffocate Al Hilal, turning it into a match of one or two chances.
I like the Under, but I like Fluminense to advance more. We also backed the Brazilians in our Club World Cup best bets."
Fluminense vs Al Hilal odds:
Who do you think comes out on top here to advance to the semifinal? Share your prediction below.
Fluminense vs. Al Hilal prediction: Fluminense to advance (+100 via FanDuel)
Over/Under prediction: Under 2.5 goals (-120 via Caesars)
Best player prop pick: Marcos Leonardo anytime goal (+175 via DraftKings)
"No matter the sport, defense wins titles.
That's the theory I'm employing in a potentially unpredictable quarterfinal between two teams that, before the Club World Cup adopted an expanded format, had about as much chance of playing each other as the San Jose Sharks and the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Stanley Cup Final.
I'm as floored by that statement as I'm by Fluminense's defensive prowess. Excluding a bizarre and wacky 10 minutes before the interval against Ulsan, in which they allowed two goals, Fluminense haven't conceded a goal at the Club World Cup.
That's four matches minus 10 minutes of flawless defensive work.
Going back a wee bit further, the Brazilian side has conceded once in the last six.
While Al Hilal exploded for four goals against an out-of-sorts Man City defense, they netted three times in the previous three matches. I expect Renato Portaluppi's side to smother and suffocate Al Hilal, turning it into a match of one or two chances.
I like the Under, but I like Fluminense to advance more. We also backed the Brazilians in our Club World Cup best bets."
Fluminense vs Al Hilal odds:
Who do you think comes out on top here to advance to the semifinal? Share your prediction below.