Dortmund aim to avoid an upset against Ulsan HD

Borussia Dortmund will aim to avoid an upset against Ulsan Hyundai in their third and final Club World Cup group game and qualify for the round of 16 on Wednesday at TQL Stadium.

Dortmund are second with four points following their 4-3 win against Mamelodi Sundowns on June 21 and occupy the second of two qualification spots, while Ulsan are last with no points in fourth place and were eliminated when they lost 4-2 against Fluminense on Saturday.

The German club are not yet certain of their place in the round of 16 given they are only one point ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, who play first-placed Fluminense on Wednesday, though the group leaders also have just four points.

Black and Yellow head to TQL Stadium in strong form having triumphed in seven of their last eight matches, avoiding defeat in nine.

BVB’s displays in front of goal have been outstanding, with the Bundesliga side scoring 24 times in their eight most recent fixtures.

Dortmund are still unable to select Emre Can or Nico Schlotterbeck, and their injuries are likely to lead to starts in a back three for Niklas Sule, Waldemar Anton and Ramy Bensebaini.

New signing Jobe Bellingham will almost certainly be given the freedom to cause havoc in attack, and he may start in a supportive role behind striker Serhou Guirassy.

Dortmund will come into the clash as overwhelming favourites, but they have shown that they are vulnerable at the back.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Sundowns in a must-win game against Fluminense

Mamelodi Sundowns head to Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium for a must-win Club World Cup clash against Fluminense.

The South African champions need a victory to guarantee their spot in the last 16, while their Brazilian opponents will progress to the knockout stage with a draw.

The Club World Cup may not have much significance for European clubs, but that is certainly not the case for others in the competition – including the Mamelodi Sundowns.

The South African side has already earned over $11m at the event, which is more than double the amount they would have received for winning the CAF Champions League.

While that may not sound like a lot of money for most clubs involved, for the Sundowns it is an extraordinary financial boost, which will not only secure their future for years to come but also strengthen their position as a major force in African football.

While the South African outfit are seen as big underdogs by the bookmakers, Miguel Cardoso’s men will certainly feel confident after holding their own against Borussia Dortmund last time out.

Fluminense are also taking the competition seriously – something that can be said about all the Brazilian teams in the tournament.

While they may not have big budgets, Brazil’s representatives are proving they have heart and determination after stunning their European rivals.

Mamelodi Sundowns could be without striker Lebo Mothiba, who pulled a muscle during Saturday’s defeat against Borussia Dortmund and now faces a late fitness test.

While Mamelodi Sundowns have certainly made their mark at the tournament, we are expecting Fluminense to get the win.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Chelsea’s Jackson given two-game ban for red card

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has been given a two-match ban for his red card in Friday’s 3-1 Club World Cup defeat by Flamengo.

Jackson was dismissed just four minutes after coming on as a late substitute for a studs-up challenge on Flamengo defender Lucas Ayrton.

The Senegal forward was given an automatic one-match ban that rules him out of tonight’s final group game against African side ES Tunis (02:00 BST).

But a Fifa disciplinary committee reviewed the incident and decided to extend the ban as it was deemed serious foul play, meaning Jackson will miss Chelsea’s last-16 match should they progress.

The disciplinary committee’s decision is final and cannot be appealed against.

Enzo Maresca’s side need to avoid defeat by ES Tunis in Philadelphia to reach the knockout stage.

The dismissal was Jackson’s second in four matches and means he is now suspended in two competitions – the Premier League and Club World Cup.

Alongside his eight yellow cards, it means Jackson has a combined record of 10 cards this season.

The former Villarreal player apologised on social media after the game, while both defender Marc Cucurella and Maresca revealed the striker said sorry in person to his team-mates after the match.

Credit: bbc.com

‘Ball bounces like a rabbit’ -Luis Enrique on pitches

Paris St-Germain manager Luis Enrique has criticised the pitches at the Club World Cup and said the “ball bounced like a rabbit” during his side’s win against the Seattle Sounders.

The match was played at Seattle’s Lumen Field, home of MLS side the Sounders and NFL team the Seattle Seahawks, with the stadium’s artificial turf replaced with a temporary hybrid grass for the tournament.

The Spaniard says football’s world governing body Fifa needs to “bear in mind” the quality of both match and training pitches if it wants the Club World Cup to be “the most high-level competition in the world”.

“I wouldn’t imagine a NBA court full of holes,” the 55-year-old said after his side won 2-0 to secure top spot in Group B in the tournament, which is being solely hosted in the United States.

“What I really care about is the state of the field of play, and I say this on the day we’ve won.

“The ball bounces almost like if it were jumping around like a rabbit.”

PSG won the Champions League at the end of May with a dominant victory over Inter Milan in Munich to complete a European and domestic treble.

Luis Enrique said his team have had to adjust the way they play since their arrival in the US because of pitch conditions.

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham also criticised the pitches at the Club World Cup following his side’s 3-1 win against Pachuca.

“The pitches aren’t great at all. It holds up the ball, the ball barely bounces,” said the England midfielder.

Five of the venues from this year – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, MetLife Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field and Lumen Field – will also host World Cup matches.

All five are used by NFL teams and usually have artificial turf but will have real grass installed in time for the World Cup in order to meet Fifa requirements.

Credit: bbc.com