Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense Prediction: Rayners fancied again

One of the most entertaining teams at the Club World Cup - Mamelodi Sundowns - know that they will progress to the knockout stage with a win over Fluminense (20:00 BST, DAZN). The South Africans lost a thrilling match 4-3 to Borussia Dortmund last time out, while Fluminense sit top of the group with four points to their name and will also fancy their chances of reaching the last 16.

Below you can find my Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense Predictions featuring team news and betting tips. 

Team News

Lebo Mothiba scored off the bench for Sundowns against Dortmund, but is now facing a late fitness test having pulled a muscle in that enthralling defeat. He would have been likely to start on the bench anyway given Iqraam Rayners scored again, and has been in sensational form this season. 

Tashreeq Matthews replaced Arthur Sales in the XI against the German giants and impressed with an assist so will keep his spot, while there could be changes at the back after a poor defensive showing. Thapelo Morena could start at right-back after Khuliso Mudau scored an own goal and had a rough night in general. 

Today's Football Fixtures

Fluminense started Ganso in the number 10 role against Ulsan HD, but he was withdrawn at half-time as they trailed 2-1. They came back to win 4-2, with Everaldo, Nonato and Keno all making big impacts off the bench. The latter two both found the net so could come into the XI, while Everaldo should lead the line in place of German Cano. 

Agustin Canobbio and Facundo Bernal could be absent through injury, as Fluminense target the point they need to confirm their spot in the last 16.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense Odds

Mamelodi Sundowns are 16/5 to find a win in this game, while a draw has been priced up at 13/5. Unsurprisingly, Fluminense are the favourites at 10/11, giving them an implied win probability of 52.4% before kick-off. 

If you do fancy goals in this one, over 2.5 has been made available at 10/11, and BTTS is 4/5. Cano is the favourite to open the scoring at 9/2 for the Brazilian outfit, despite the 37-year-old failing to find the net so far at the CWC.

Fluminense to win and BTTS @ 11/4

I think we are in for a thrilling match-up between these two teams. Fluminense drew their opener 0-0 with Dortmund and have been known for being tight at the back recently, keeping three clean sheets in a row before they faced Ulsan. 

However, they were torn apart at times by the Koreans, conceding twice before coming back to win in style. Sundowns have been a strong attacking force so far, scoring three times against Dortmund from an xG of 2.74. They don’t have the best defence, and ultimately I think that will cost them against the Brazilians, but they can certainly find a goal or two in this crucial encounter. 

I was considering backing a market such as over 3.5 goals here, but instead I will back Fluminense to win and BTTS as my first selection.

Iqraam Rayners to score first @ 7/1

Now I am a bit of a fan of Mamelodi Sundowns, and I do think they can seriously trouble Fluminense, so my eyes lit up when I saw the price of 7/1 for Rayners to score first. He’s scored 24 goals in 46 appearances for Sundowns in all competitions this season and the South African is by far the biggest goal threat that they possess. 

More importantly, he’s now scored two goals in two games at the Club World Cup, finding the net in both matches so far. He also scored his 14 league goals from an xG of just 8.10, proving that he is indeed a top quality finisher when chances fall his way. I think he could land the first goal at a massive price in this final group match. 

Offers

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