Manchester City are off and running at the Club World Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Wydad AC on matchday one. They now have the chance to make it six points from six when they face Al Ain.
Pep Guardiola’s side want to go all the way this summer, but could their unheralded opponents throw a spanner in the works?
Manchester City vs Al Ain best bets
Manchester City vs Al Ain odds
Find the latest Manchester City vs Al Ain betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.
Manchester City vs Al Ain predictions
Manchester City got off and running at the Club World Cup with a minimum of fuss. A 2-0 victory over Wydad AC means Pep Guardiola’s side are potentially just one win away from securing their place in the knockout phase.
After a difficult individual season in 2025/26, it took Phil Foden until the second minute to open his account in the USA.
Jeremy Doku then doubled City’s lead shortly before half-time, and although Rico Lewis was sent off late on, the result was never in doubt.
City supporters got a first glimpse of two of their three summer signings. Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders featured from kick-off, with Rayan Ait-Nouri an unused substitute.
Vitor Reis, a January acquisition, was handed a rare start at centre-back, so there was definitely a fresh feel to the City line-up.
The rebuild at the Etihad Stadium is probably not over yet, but this is the squad Guardiola will be working with for the entirety of the Club World Cup.
Had City been as dominant as ever in 2024/25, they might not have taken this tournament too seriously. But their failure to pick up a major trophy last term has obliged them to go for glory in the USA (the lucrative prize money on offer certainly helps too).
Guardiola intends to shuffle his pack heavily for this match, with Erling Haaland, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Oscar Bobb, Josko Gvardiol and Ait-Nouri among the candidates to start.
“Many players, we need to give them minutes otherwise if they come back from a long injury and don’t play they’ll never get it,” the City head coach said after the defeat of Wydad AC. “Next game, 10 new players will be there to try and win the next one.”
Al Ain were thumped 5-0 by Juventus in their first game at the Club World Cup. It was always going to be tough for the team from the United Arab Emirates to get anything from the game, but the margin of defeat was no doubt disappointing.
Al Ain were four goals down by half-time and they were ultimately thankful that Juventus took their foot off the gas after the interval. Now they must try and make a more positive impression against Manchester City, as hard as that will be.
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Manchester City vs Al Ain betting tips
Manchester City are heavy favourites to beat Al Ain, but will there be a twist in the tale?
Manchester City to win both halves
Given the hiding they were given by Juventus last time out, it is difficult to see how Al Ain will be able to hang with Manchester City here.
Granted, Guardiola’s side are not at the peak of their powers. They are in a transition period and will be lining up with a wholly changed XI on Sunday (or Monday morning UK time).
Even so, you could easily argue that with the likes of Rodri and Haaland set to start, this City side might actually be stronger than the one which faced Wydad AC.
Al Ain showed little in the way of resistance against Juventus, so City should not be unduly troubled this weekend.
⚽ Tip Manchester City to win both halves at 4/6 with SBK ⚽
Over 1.5 goals first half
Manchester City will aim to make a fast start and put the match to bed as quickly as possible.
That would allow Guardiola to make changes in the second period as he attempts to give various players the optimum amount of minutes.
Al Ain found themselves up against it from the get-go against Juventus and we are likely to see something similar here.
Of course, Vladimir Ivic will have learned plenty from his team’s 5-0 defeat, but that does not necessarily mean Al Ain will be able to contain City.
Two goals in the first half should be manageable for the Premier League side.
⚽ Choose over 1.5 goals in the first half at 10/11 with BetVictor ⚽
Oscar Bobb to score any time
Bobb entered the fray after an hour of Manchester City’s clash with Wydad AC, coming on alongside Rodri and Haaland.
After Guardiola’s comments, the youngster will expect to be given an opportunity from the first whistle against Al Ain.
Bobb only made five appearances in an injury-disrupted season in 2024/25, so he will have to be managed carefully.
But the Club World Cup gives City an option to get him up to speed in competitive football ahead of next season.
The Norway international will be desperate to impress and it could be worth a punt on him finding the net.
⚽ Back Oscar Bobb to score any time at 5/4 with Tote ⚽
📺 How to watch Manchester City vs Al Ain
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA.
- Date and time: Monday 23rd June, 2am.
- How to watch: Channel 5, DAZN
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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