Liverpool Vs Flamengo
Saturday 21st December 2019 – 17:30 Kick-Off
FIFA Club World Cup
Pick: Liverpool to WIN
Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Betway
FIFA Club World Cup Betting at 22Bet
(All betting odds displayed were correct at the time of writing: 19th December 2019 at 10:20)
Preview: We will have a new FIFA Club World Cup champion on Saturday. UEFA Champions League winners Liverpool are taking on Copa Libertadores holders Flamengo, in what has the potential of being a very exciting duel in Doha, inside the Khalifa International Stadium.
Liverpool Preview – Can Reds maintain European dominance?
Predictably, Liverpool made it through their semi-final with Monterrey. Less predictable was the team with which it was achieved. Or how difficult those players would make progress appear to be. Scraping past the CONCACAF Champions League winners courtesy of a dramatic stoppage time winning goal, this was a 2-1 victory that again underlined the importance of having certain members of the squad fit, available and performing to the heights we expect. In the end it was two substitutes who combined to spare any blushes.
Jurgen Klopp opted to start with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino on the bench for the semi-final. That will surely mean all three return here, no doubt fresher for their mini-rests. As for Virgil van Dijk, the defensive colossus remains doubtful through illness but probably starts regardless. He has to, based on the evidence of the horror show that was their defensive performance last time out. A makeshift backline that was exposed time and again by a team less potent, and certainly less ruthless, than Flamengo.
Alexander-Arnold combining with Firmino for Liverpool’s winning goal was a brief glimpse into how the pair, along with welcoming Mane and Van Dijk back, elevates this team to another level. Moving Jordan Henderson into central midfield will also be a massive boost, enabling them greater control on proceedings. The overall performance of the team should improve immensely. For this reason, it might be best disregarding the semi-final display to some extent. This is a tournament the club are desperate to win and I expect that to show out on the pitch.
Flamengo Preview – Will Brazilian firepower break European monopoly?
Again, Flamengo did what virtually everybody expected, which was qualifying for the final. They, too, were hardly convincing, though, as the Copa Libertadores and Brazilian Serie A champions laboured initially, trailing 1-0 at the half-time interval before turning it on in the second half to score three unanswered goals. Efforts from Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique and an Ali Al-Bulaihi own goal sealed their progression with a 3-1 victory over the reigning AFC Champions League winners, Al Hilal.
Perhaps the significant difference with their performance was that it was despite naming a strong side from the start. Sluggish and lacking in intensity to begin with, their superior quality would eventually shine through, especially in the attacking third. However, a similarly sloppy opening could spell disaster against arguably the most lethal attacking unit in world football. Al Hilal had their chances and, according to Infogol, were very unfortunate to have lost, certainly by the margin they did: xG FLA 1.44 – 1.62 ALH.
Like Liverpool, however, we can surely expect the Brazilians to raise their game substantially for the finale. If so, we could have some final in store. Flamengo are quite the force when at their flowing best. En route to a sixth league title, romping to the 2019 Brasileiro Serie A crown by 16-points, former Benfica and Sporting CP coach, Jorge Jesus, oversaw a team which scored 86 goals across 36 league matches, giving them an average of 2.26 goals per game. Of these, 25 came from Gabriel Barbosa, or “Gabigol”, who is undeniably their dangerman.
Liverpool Vs Flamengo – Key Facts:
- Liverpool overcame North American champions Monterrey in their semi-final, needing a last-gasp winner from Roberto Firmino to earn a 2-1 victory.
- Flamengo fell behind in their semi-final clash with Asian champions Al Hilal but stormed back in the second half, scoring three times in this period to record a 3-1 success.
- The previous six Club World Cup titles have gone to representatives from Europe. Brazilian side Corinthians, who beat Premier League club Chelsea in the 2012 final, the only exception in the last twelve editions of this tournament to win outside of Europe.
Betting Summary
It’s the final everyone seemed to crave. There was, however, points in both semi-finals were neither made compelling cases as to why they should or even would make it this far. Both made it over the line somehow.
Liverpool (8/13 Betway) begin as the favourites. That is about right when you take into consideration how often this tournament has been won by European representatives – the last six, for example, all won by clubs from UEFA. Top of the Premier League and a winning machine, The Reds are boosted by the return of several influential players for this final. Flamengo (17/4 Bet365), meahwhile, bossed the Brazilian league, winning it by a huge margin. And this whilst scoring more goals than anybody else.
Neither defence covered itself in glory in the semi-finals. Therefore, goals would appear likely. Liverpool & Both Teams to Score was highlighted as a potential bet last time and delivered, and that bet is currently available at even bigger odds on this occasion.
