A place at the top of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Group G is at stake as Juventus and Manchester City go head-to-head in Orlando. Camping World Stadium forms the backdrop for the second competitive meeting between the two sides in seven months.

Juventus have enjoyed a flawless Club World Cup debut so far. After a thumping 5-0 win over UAE outfit Al-Ain on the opening day, they thrashed Wydad AC 4-1 to secure a knockout berth with a game to spare. Locking down a top spot is the next assignment.

However, the task ahead is nothing short of Herculean. Like Juventus, Manchester City have been ruthless in the United States. Pep Guardiola’s charges started the tournament with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Wydad before humbling Al-Ain 6-0 in round two.

An inferior goal difference to Juventus means a draw would send the Citizens through as group runners-up. Yet, Guardiola will likely gun for all three points as he seeks revenge for a 2-0 defeat in Turin toward the end of 2024, which nearly cost Man City a place in the Champions League knockouts.

Remarkably, that was Juventus’ third consecutive win over the Etihad giants. As such, head coach Igor Tudor can approach this fixture with cautious optimism, with pride and seeding firmly on the line.

Match Preview

Juventus

It’s been a superb maiden Club World Cup appearance for Juventus thus far. However, this is their sternest test yet. A seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W5, D2) bodes well, as the Turin heavyweights need to avoid defeat to progress as Group G winners.

Tudor’s men have rediscovered their scoring instincts in the States. Furthermore, they’ve netted 14 goals across their last four outings, as many as they had in their previous 14 combined. Still, replicating the dominance shown in their first two victories could prove far more challenging this time.

Delivering action from the get-go, Juventus’ last three matches have produced the opening goal within 15 minutes. Another fast start would likely go a long way toward settling their nerves and putting pressure on Man City. Given the stakes, seizing the initiative could make all the difference.

Kenan Yildiz could be the difference-maker after a stellar performance against Wydad. Indeed, the Turkish teenager netted on either side of halftime and played a major role in the opening goal.

Manchester City

Back to the tournament as the reigning champions, Man City lived up to expectations in the first two rounds. In doing so, Guardiola’s charges have extended their formidable unbeaten run to 15 matches across all competitions (W11, D3).

Defensively robust, Man City kept six clean sheets in their last eight games and will seek another shutout in this top-of-the-table six-pointer. It would be a welcome boost as the Citizens bid to post their first win over Juventus since 1976 in the UEFA Cup.

Despite their household status in the Premier League, Man City couldn’t cope with the Bianconeri over the years. Juventus have been a bogey team for City, going unbeaten in six of their seven previous head-to-heads (W4, D2).

However, they could flip the script after becoming only the second team in Club World Cup history to win their first four games in the tournament. Moreover, they bagged 15 unanswered goals in those victories to help Guardiola maintain his 100% managerial record in this competition (W10).

Team News

Juventus will be without long-term absentees Gleison Bremer, Arkadiusz Milik, Mattia Perin, and Juan Cabal. On the bright side, Manuel Locatelli has recovered from an ankle problem and will likely take his place at the heart of Tudor’s midfield, perhaps at the expense of Weston McKennie.

As for Man City, Mateo Kovacic is out with an Achilles tendon injury. Rico Lewis picked up a red card on matchday one and remains out of the squad. Yet, star midfielder Rodri is back after spending the best part of the 2024/25 season on the sidelines.

Juventus vs Manchester City Potential Starting Line-ups

Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Kelly, Kalulu; Costa, Thuram, McKennie, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Kolo Muani.

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Reijnders; Savinho, Foden, Marmoush; Haaland.

Juventus vs Manchester City Prediction

Even with top spot on the line, Juventus and Man City could throw a spectacle in Florida. Both teams have been in scintillating scoring form, making for good reading if you’re neutral. Both sides will probably get on the scoresheet in a match that may end level.

Prediction: Draw