Al-Hilal and Al Jazira Club square off in the Club World Cup second round on Sunday with a showdown against Chelsea the reward for the winner.
While Al-Hilal received a bye through to this stage of the competition, Al Jazira were required to come through a clash with Pirae earlier this week.
Match preview
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Having being drafted into this tournament courtesy of United Arab Emirates being the hosts, Al Jazira were able to take full advantage by winning their first-round tie on Thursday.
As expected, Marcel Keizer's team made light work of Tahiti representatives Pirae, ultimately prevailing by a 4-1 scoreline after earlier scoring three times before half time.
The strikes were shared around the team, the most notable coming from Abdoulay Diaby who is no stranger to European football having represented the likes of Club Brugge and Sporting Lisbon in the past.
However, despite possessing that level of quality in their ranks, progression through to the semi-finals is far from a foregone conclusion given that The Spider have only won three of their last six games in all competitions.
Al Jazira are also down in fifth position in the Arabian Gulf League after losing four of their opening 13 fixtures.
Opponents Al-Hilal have been far more consistent in Saudi Arabia's top flight, only succumbing on two occasions in 17 league games.
Nevertheless, just eight wins have been recorded, leaving the Blue Wave 10 points adrift of leaders Al-Ittihad having already gone past the halfway stage.
Al-Hilal qualified for this competition through winning the AFC Champions League, and there have been signs that they are slowly getting closer to that kind of form with four victories and one draw coming from five games in all competitions.
With Leonardo Jardim at the helm, there is scope for further improvement, and their big-name players such as Matheus Pereira, Moussa Marega and Odion Ighalo will relish the chance to set up a meeting with Premier League giants Chelsea.
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Team News
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Having only moved to Al-Hilal at the end of January, Ighalo is expected to be named on the substitutes' bench for this contest.
Former Porto forward Marega should lead the line, with ex-West Bromwich Albion playmaker Pereira playing in the creative role behind him.
Of the Saudi Arabian contingent, Salem Al-Dawsari is one to watch on the left-hand side of the attack.
Given the manner of their win on Thursday, Keizer was able to make three substitutions at the break to hand game time to more players.
Nevertheless, barring any injury issues, he could opt to name the same Al Jazira XI for this contest.
Al-Hilal possible starting lineup:
Al Maiouf; Al Yami, Jahfali, Al Bulaihi, Al Shahrani; Kanno, Cuellar; Carillo, Pereira, Al Dawsari; Marega
Al Jazira Club possible starting lineup:
Khaseif; Rabii, Kosanovic, Alhammadi, Idrees; Jamal, Serero; Diaby, Joao Victor, Al Ameri; Al Attas
We say: Al-Hilal 1-2 Al Jazira Club
Although Al-Hilal are arguably the marginal favourites for this contest, the extra game time for Al Jazira may prove key. In what should be a tight match, we are backing Al Jazira to edge this contest, potentially with a late winner.
Darren Plant
