Manchester City are into the knockout rounds at the Club World Cup and the draw looks promising for them as they eye a first trophy of the season.
Manchester City players celebrate at the Club World Cup
Manchester City have been in fine form during the Club World Cup
Manchester City's emphatic win against Juventus secured top spot in Group G at the Club World Cup and means that Pep Guardiola's side have landed on the much more attractive half of the draw in the United States.
City face Al Hilal in the last-16, and the Saudi Pro League side did cause Real Madrid trouble in their first game in the tournament, but the Blues will be overwhelming favourites.
There is a belief that City are back to their best, and their performances in the US are fuelling that narrative. They made light work of Wydad AC (2-0) and Al Ain (6-0) before that show-stopping performance against Juventus, beating the Serie A side 5-2 in Orlando.
Now that the draw has opened up for them, City will fancy their chances of being crowned world champions in two weeks' time. This is how their path to the final in New York could look.
Best case
Last-16: Al Hilal
Quarter-final: Fluminense
Semi-final: Botafogo
Final: Monterrey
An unlikely route, of course, but let's go with it. Fluminense beating Inter wouldn't be the biggest shock of the tournament. The Italians still look to be carrying a hangover from their mauling in the Champions League final and their Brazilian opponents will make life uncomfortable for them.
Botafogo and Palmeiras face off in an all-Brazilian last-16 tie, with the winners playing Benfica or Chelsea. Botafogo are probably the slightly weaker side and sit eighth in Brazil's top flight after 11 games. They should make for a routine semi-final.
The other side of the draw is stacked and Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich all sit waiting. But what if Monterrey pull off a global shock and reach the final? The Mexicans would probably have to beat Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and PSG to get there, but it would be ideal for City.
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Worst case:
Last-16: Al Hilal
Quarter-final: Inter Milan
Semi-final: Chelsea
Final: Paris Saint-Germain
A last-eight clash with Inter Milan would be a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final and a re-run of a league phase fixture earlier this season, which ended goalless at the Etihad. Inter are a good side, but they've lost their manager and were thrashed in the Champions League final.
Chelsea would probably be the toughest semi-final opponents that City could face, but the Blues did beat Enzo Maresca's side twice in the Premier League last season. Chelsea haven't hit top gear yet during this tournament.
It's take your pick for which team you'd least like to face in the final. There is a strong argument for Real Madrid, of course, and they did beat City in the Champions League play-off round earlier this year, but Paris Saint-Germain have probably overtaken them as the most dangerous side on the continent.