Juventus vs Manchester City Preview
- City to win
- Under 2.5 goals
The top spot in Group G of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is up for grabs as Juventus take on Manchester City in a clash of European giants. Both sides are already guaranteed a place in the knockout stage after back-to-back wins in the group, but victory here would provide a significant psychological edge and potentially an easier path in the latter stages of the competition.
Match News and Current Form
Juventus have enjoyed a blistering start to their Club World Cup campaign, netting emphatic victories over Al Ain and Wydad AC to open their tournament with six points from six. Those wins, which came by impressive margins, reflect the attacking confidence the Italian side are playing with under Massimiliano Allegri. Their tally of 14 goals across the last four matches in all competitions is equal to their output from the 14 matches before that, signalling a clear shift in offensive potency.
Their recent surge in form also extends beyond just the goalscoring charts, as the Bianconeri are now unbeaten in seven straight competitive outings (five wins and two draws).
Particularly impressive is their ability to start games on the front foot, having scored the opening goal inside the first 15 minutes in each of their last three outings. With qualification already secured, the pressure may be off slightly here, but Juventus will want to maintain their momentum and send a message to the rest of the tournament.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are no strangers to this competition or to winning silverware. After lifting the trophy in 2023, they’ve returned to defend their crown with professional performances against Wydad and Al Ain. They may trail Juventus on goal difference, but have yet to concede in four Club World Cup matches since debuting in the competition, boasting a combined 15-0 scoreline. Pep Guardiola’s side have now lost just one of their last 15 competitive games (11 wins and three draws), with six clean sheets in their last eight matches underlining their defensive resilience.
The Cityzens also rotated their squad during their 2-0 victory over Al Ain, allowing key players to rest while still delivering a commanding performance. Their depth and tactical flexibility remain key assets, particularly in tournament football, and Guardiola will be pleased with how his squad has handled their first two matches in the USA.
Head-to-Head History
This will be the eighth competitive meeting between Juventus and Manchester City, but only the second outside of UEFA’s top-tier competitions. Juventus claimed a 2-0 win when the sides last met in the UEFA Champions League back in December 2024, extending their dominance in this fixture. In total, City have won just one of the previous seven encounters, with the Bianconeri victorious on four occasions and two matches ending in draws.
City’s lone win in this fixture came in 1976 during the UEFA Cup, and since then, Juventus have consistently proven a difficult obstacle. That history could serve as extra motivation for Guardiola’s men, who will be looking to turn the tide.
Key Players to Watch
Kenan Yildiz has been Juventus’ standout attacking force in recent matches, finding the net four times in his last three appearances.
His ability to drift into pockets of space and finish chances early in matches has added a dynamic edge to Juventus’ attack, with seven of his last eight goals arriving before the break.
Manchester City will look to Erling Haaland, who is chasing a significant milestone as he sits on 299 goals in his combined top-flight and international career. The Norwegian forward has scored in each of his last four starts and remains a constant threat in and around the box.
With City’s creativity from midfield consistently supplying opportunities, Haaland’s finishing could be crucial in deciding this heavyweight encounter.
Also returning to action for City is Rico Lewis, who missed the previous match through suspension. Rodri could also make his first start since September 2024 following his long injury layoff, which would be a major boost to City’s midfield control.
Hot Stats and Trends
- Juventus have scored 14 goals across their last four matches, equalling their previous 14-game total.
- Each of Juventus’ last three games featured a goal within the opening 15 minutes.
- Manchester City are the second team in Club World Cup history to win their first four matches, all without conceding.
- Pep Guardiola has won all ten of his CWC matches as a manager, with his teams scoring 33 goals and conceding just two.
- Only one of the previous seven meetings between these sides has seen three or more goals.
Betting Analysis
Given the tight nature of previous head-to-heads and the efficiency both sides have shown defensively, a low-scoring contest could be on the cards. Juventus have started games quickly, but City’s clean sheet run and ability to manage tempo suggest this may be more tactical than open. Backing under 2.5 total goals might offer value here, especially with both teams potentially rotating slightly with knockout rounds in mind.
Prediction
Both teams have shown their quality in the group stage and will be eager to top Group G, but the margin between them is razor-thin. Manchester City’s recent form and Guardiola’s perfect record at this tournament could just give them the edge in what’s likely to be a tightly contested affair.