As the sun sets over Washington D.C.’s Audi Field, football fans are gearing up for the highly anticipated Club World Cup showdown between Al Ain and Juventus on Thursday, June 19, 2025. This Group G encounter promises to deliver top-class action as the Emirati champions take on Italy’s powerhouse at the start of their tournament campaigns.
Kick-off is set for 03:00 CEST across Italy, Germany, France and Spain, and 02:00 BST in the UK. With referee Mary Victoria Penso appointed to oversee proceedings, both sides will be keen to make an early statement in this newly formatted Club World Cup.
How are both teams coming into this?
Al Ain arrive on a high after lifting the AFC Champions League title and securing the UAE Pro-League crown. Under Vladimir Ivić’s guidance, they’ve gone unbeaten in their last five matches (three wins, two draws), displaying a blend of defensive solidity and quick counter-attacks. Their 2-0 win over Al Nasr SC most recently highlighted their ability to keep clean sheets and strike efficiently on the break.
Juventus, meanwhile, boast an identical recent record of three victories and two stalemates. Igor Tudor’s side showed both firepower and occasional vulnerability in their 3-2 win over Venezia FC, suggesting they have the attacking nous to break down their opponents but may need to tighten up at the back. The Bianconeri’s 3-5-2 setup typically dominates midfield possession—a key advantage against the rapid transitions favoured by Al Ain.
Our forecast
Despite Al Ain’s impressive run, we believe Juventus will claim all three points. Their wealth of experience on the world stage and superior squad depth should be enough to see off the Emirati giants, even if the match proves tighter than the odds suggest.
We also expect a cautious affair in which defences hold firm. A bet on under 2.5 goals looks appealing, given both teams’ tendency to keep low-scoring results in recent fixtures.
