Al Ittihad vs Auckland City Predictions

• Al Ittihad have conceded in eight straight games
• The Saudi champions have struggled for shutouts in the AFC Champions League this term
• Auckland City forward Ryan De Vries scored five times across his last four OFC Champions League games

Shaky defence could dent Al Ittihad’s victory

The Club World Cup’s final edition in this current format kicks off on Tuesday, with increased interest thanks to Saudi Arabia’s spending spree. With the tournament being held in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Pro League champions Al Ittihad represent the host nation, playing in the opener against Oceania’s champions Auckland City.

Al Ittihad are heavy favourites to progress from the first round having signed the likes of Fabinho, N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema in the summer. However, for all their strength they have struggled at the back of late, going eight games without a clean sheet.

The Saudi champions have failed to keep a clean sheet across their last four home matches, with three of those seeing them ship two goals. They’ve struggled both in the Pro League and against lesser-funded sides in the AFC Champions League, shipping goals in three straight games against sides from Iran, Iraq and Uzbekistan.

Auckland City are likely to make a quick exit, having lost their opener in their last four appearances at this competition since 2015. However, former Sligo Rovers forward Ryan De Vries is one to watch for them, after he scored 20 times in 13 domestic starts, while he scored five times in their last four OFC Champions League games, including a brace to help them win the final.

The New Zealanders aren’t set for a long stay in Saudi Arabia, but back them to net in this clash, with De Vries good value in the anytime scorer stakes against a defence which is far from unbreachable.