Inter Milan and Fluminense are set to continue their journeys in the FIFA Club World Cup with an exciting round of 16 match in Charlotte on Monday.
After topping Group E with a convincing 2-0 victory over River Plate, Inter have shown steady improvement throughout the tournament, especially under the guidance of new coach Cristian Chivu.
Fluminense, on the other hand, finished second in Group F after a series of draws and one win against Ulsan HD, setting up an intriguing encounter against Inter.
Team updates
Inter will welcome back Marcus Thuram to the squad but will be without Francesco Esposito due to injury. The lineup could see Thuram partnering with Lautaro Martinez in a 3-5-2 formation.
Meanwhile, Fluminense will likely see the return of Thiago Silva in defense, providing a boost to their backline. German Cano is expected to lead the attack for the Brazilian side.
Key stats
Fluminense have demonstrated a solid defensive record in the tournament, keeping two clean sheets in three matches, including one against Borussia Dortmund.
Inter Milan have been involved in high-scoring matches recently, with at least two goals scored in nine of their last 10 games.
Fluminense are on a nine-game unbeaten streak, with six wins and three draws under their belt.
When it comes to corner kicks, Inter has averaged 5 per match, while Fluminense has averaged 6.7 in the Club World Cup.
Fluminense have faced fewer shots than Inter in the tournament, with only 24 attempts on their goal compared to the Nerazzurri.
Prediction
Fluminense's strong defense and the return of Thiago Silva could pose challenges for Inter's attacking line, potentially leading to a low-scoring affair on Monday.
While Inter will miss the contributions of Esposito in front of goal, the team will be motivated to perform well and secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
With both teams eager to progress in the tournament, the match is likely to be tightly contested, possibly resulting in a game with few goals scored.