Fluminense vs Ulsan HD Predictions

• Fluminense have won two of their last three matches 2-0
• Fluminense had the better of their 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday
• Ulsan HD lost their opening game 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns

Flu could be dark horses

Fluminense should turn a performance into three points when they meet Ulsan HD in a pivotal Group F clash at the Club World Cup on Saturday. Renato Gaucho’s side were better than Borussia Dortmund for long spells of their goalless opener and fluffed two great chances to take the lead.

There was a real purpose and energy about the Brazilian club’s play in that game and a repeat of those levels should see them secure a win against a wasteful Ulasn HD side. The Koreans were denied two goals by VAR calls in their 1-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, but the level of opposition goes up a couple of notches here.

Finalists at the 2023 Club World Cup, Fluminense came into this edition with very few expectations after a 13th-place finish in Serie A last term. But with Thiago Silva marshalling their backline and new signings like Hercules, Agustin Canobbio and Everaldo slotting in well, they could be dark horses for a deep run.

MetLife pitch may mean few goals

Flu have kept three clean sheets in a row and after allowing only three shots on target from Dortmund, seem good value to win this one without conceding. Ulsan are a hard-working side that rarely collapse, though, so it could be more profitable to back the Brazilians to win with fewer than three goals in the game.

The MetLife Stadium pitch came under fire from Palmeiras and Porto last week for being dry and slow, so if the surface plays in a similar condition again it may lead to few chances and goals.