![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1032017392-1.jpg)
via Imago
Manchester City v Inter Milan – UEFA Champions League – Final – Ataturk Olympic Stadium Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan lifts the Champions League trophy as his team celebrate winning the UEFA Champions League Final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul. Picture date: Saturday June 10, 2023. See PA story SOCCER Final. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xNickxPottsx 73053038
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1032017392-1.jpg)
via Imago
Manchester City v Inter Milan – UEFA Champions League – Final – Ataturk Olympic Stadium Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan lifts the Champions League trophy as his team celebrate winning the UEFA Champions League Final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul. Picture date: Saturday June 10, 2023. See PA story SOCCER Final. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xNickxPottsx 73053038
We are now in the Semi-final stages of the FIFA Club World Cup. The second match of this stage is between the English side Manchester City and the Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds. The highly anticipated match is scheduled to happen on the 19th of December 2023 at 18:00 UTC.
Urawa Red Diamonds on their journey to the semi-finals had to defeat Leon in Round Two. Meanwhile, Manchester City, following their UEFA Champions League triumph, are directly seeded into the semifinals.
Expected starting lineups for Manchester City and Urawa Red Diamonds
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
For the match, fans expect Manchester City to deploy their favored 4-2-3-1 formation.
Manchester City- Ederson; Walker Diaz Ake Gvardiol; Rodri Kovacic; Silva, Foden, Grealish; Alvarez
Urawa Red Diamonds are also likely to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation, which they have utilized throughout the competition.
Urawa Red Diamonds- Nishikawa; Sakai, Scholz, Hoibraten, Ogiwara; Iwao, Ito; Schalk, Yasui, Koizumi; Kante
Injury updates for both teams
As for injuries, Manchester City has been hit hard and will be missing out on some key players for the match. Pep Guardiola will have to make do without Erling Haaland, who is still recovering from an ankle injury. Furthermore, Kevin De Bruyne will also be absent due to a thigh injury, which has kept him out of action for the past three months. In addition, Jeremy Doku will also be unavailable due to muscle issues.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-11-06T124640Z_379660700_UP1EJB60ZHP1U_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-MCI-YBO-PREVIEW.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Reuters
Soccer Football – Champions League – Manchester City Press Conference – Etihad Campus, Manchester, Britain – November 6, 2023 Pep Guardiola during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Injuries have also affected Urawa Red Diamonds. In their Round Two match, Takahiro Akimoto, Takahiro Sekine, and Tomoaki Okubo all suffered injuries and had to be substituted. The availability of these players for the upcoming clash is yet to be confirmed.
Predictions for the Semi-final matchup
Before delving into the match prediction, let’s analyze the performance of both teams in their previous ten matches.
Manchester City – DWWLDWDDWW
Urawa Red Diamond – WLWWLLLLDL
Dive Deeper: Juventus Enter Race to Sign Kalvin Phillips From Manchester City
Based on these results, there is a noticeable gap between the capabilities of these two teams. On top of that, Manchester City is currently one of the best teams globally, having achieved a treble-winning season. Considering these factors, our prediction for the match is a dominating 4-0 victory for Manchester City.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
How to Watch Manchester City vs Urawa Red Diamond
For global viewers, FIFA+ will be broadcasting the match on their streaming service, providing fans with free access to the game. Additionally, viewers in the UK will have the option to watch the match on TNT Sports, a paid subscription service. Fans in India can also catch the action live on Eurosport.
Now all that is left is to wait for the semi-final match and to witness who progresses to the finals. Who do you think will win the match? Let us know in the comments.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: Meet the Legendary Tennis Player Who is 3x Richer than Cristiano Ronaldo