Predicted Starting Line-Up: Manchester City vs Al Hilal (FIFA Club World Cup Last-16) | OneFootball

Manchester City aim to continue their winning streak at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as they take on Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in the Round of 16.

A revitalised looking City side have peaked the interest of all onlookers this summer, remaining as the only side left in the competition to have won each of their three group stage games to progress into the knockout rounds.

With new signings shining and the old guard looking re-energised in the United States, there is a new vibrant feel to this Manchester City squad, with the blues looking reminiscent of the various sides of recent years.

While it all seems to be gelling for the newer blues, Manchester City will be welcoming an old face this week, as Joao Cancelo – part of the Al Hilal side – makes a return appearance to face his former club.

Now managed by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, the Saudi side went unbeaten themselves in the group stages, winning one and drawing two of their matches, including an eye-catching performance against Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid.

Manchester City will be wary of the threat the Saudi side can pose, but will certainly enter the match as clear favourites to emerge as victors, as the new stars in the side look to once again make a name for themselves.

Pep Guardiola’s side will be looking to remain unbeaten as the competition enters its most serious phase, as they look to progress within the tournament and pick up some momentum ahead of the domestic season.

With that being said, here is the side we think will be set to take on Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 tie!

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Predicted XI

We think some rotation may be in order between the sticks under Pep Guardiola, with Stefan Ortega Moreno starting in the place of Ederson – who didn’t cover himself in glory against Juventus despite a late crucial save against Dusan Vlahovic.

Matheus Nunes is likely to play once more in the right-back role for Manchester City, as Rico Lewis serves the final match of his three-match suspension and the Portugal international builds on his performance against Juventus.

Ruben Dias will surely start once more too, and we think he will feature alongside Josko Gvardiol in the centre of Pep Guardiola’s defensive unit, with Manuel Akanji sitting this one out.

Rayan Ait-Nöuri has been an explosive signing, making an instant impact with two incredible performances in his first two outings for the club. We think the Algerian will keep his place in the side and complete the defence.

With Rodri still getting back to full fitness despite his comprehensive showing against Juventus last time out having started that particular contest, we expect Nico to take his place in the side and sit at the base of midfield.

Tijani Reijnders has certainly wowed in his first few matches for Manchester City since arriving from AC Milan, and we think the Dutchman will keep his place in the side in a more advanced role to Nico.

Phil Foden came off the bench with a goal against Juventus, albeit in slightly fortuitous circumstances in taking a gilt-edged opportunity from teammate Savinho, but we think he starts this one to complete the midfield.

Perhaps the most notable signing of the three outfield arrivals this summer at Manchester City has been Rayan Cherki, and we believe the France international will likely start this one having been named on the bench last time.

It should be Erling Haaland leading the line in this one despite being afforded an opportunity enter proceedings later on against Juventus, with Omar Marmoush sitting out from the get-go in our view.

Jeremy Doku has already formed a formidable partnership with Rayan Ait-Nöuri down the left for Manchester City and as such, we don’t expect these two to be separated, as the Belgian completes the starting line-up for this one.

Starting XI: Ortega Moreno; Nunes, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Ait-Nöuri; Nico, Reijnders, Foden; Cherki, Haaland, Doku.

Substitutes: Ederson, Bettinelli, Khusanov, Reis, Akanji, Stones, Ake, O’Reilly, Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo, Bobb, Savinho, Marmoush.