Urawa vs Manchester City – Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips 19/12/2023

At the end of each season, FIFA traditionally holds its Club World Cup, which brings together the continental champions and also the national champion of the host country.

Generally, the champion of the Copa Libertadores in America and also the champion of the Champions League in Europe are the big favorites in the competition.

This Tuesday Manchester City, which is the biggest team in the competition, will make its debut in the semi-final stage, against Urawa, from Japan.

At least in theory, Manchester City enters with absolute favoritism to maintain the hegemony of European football, which has never been eliminated in the semi-final stage.

The match is played in a single game and in the event of a draw in regular time, there will be a 30-minute extra time. If equality persists, the dispute will be on the penalty spot.

Urawa arrives at this competition having managed to win the Asian Champions League title, and with that, the team started its campaign in the quarter-finals stage.

The draw, however, reserved the European champion in their path, but to reach that stage, Urawa had to overcome León, from Mexico, a strong opponent.

On that occasion, Urawa won 1-0, with the only goal of the match being scored by Schalk, in the 78th minute of the game.

It was expected that the Mexican team would dominate the actions of the match and Urawa would play a reaction game.

What we saw was the Asian team with more possession of the ball, had 10 shots against 9 from the Mexican team, and still managed to shoot 7 balls at the opponent’s target.

But this game model will certainly not be repeated against Manchester City.

Even though it may have a certain offensive volume, playing in transitions, it will be the English team that will dominate possession of the ball and will have many more shots in this match.

Manchester City, as European champions, has the privilege of only entering the semi-final stage, and with that, they watched their opponents duel each other, until they reached that stage.

They have the right to compete in the World Cup after beating Inter in last season’s Champions League final.

Manchester City is currently coming off a 2-2 home draw against Crystal Palace, further complicating its situation in the fight for the English championship title.

In the Champions League, the team managed to advance very easily to the round of 16 and in the last round of the group stage, they beat Estrela Vermelha away from home, 3-2.

It is an absolutely dominant team, as is part of the characteristics of Pep Guardiola’s teams. He has a lot of ball possession, high lines and an absolutely high offensive volume.

Against the Asian team, the tendency is to play a very aggressive game and perhaps resolve the match early, to rest until the final game.

Obviously football holds surprises from time to time, but if logic enters the field, Manchester City will win with some ease. Therefore, their handicap line will be my betting choice.