INTRO GOES HERE
For the South African champions, it’s a simple, undeniable truth: only a win will suffice to keep their tournament dreams alive.
Form Guide
Following a nervy 1-0 victory over Ulsan HD and then experiencing a thrilling but narrow 4-3 loss to Borussia Dortmund, Sundowns find themselves on a tightrope.
Their current tally of three points from two matches isn’t enough to control their destiny, especially with both Fluminense and Dortmund sitting comfortably on four points.
Read: Fluminense Coach Renato Portaluppi Reveals Key Tactic Ahead of Clash with Mamelodi Sundowns
Lapses have indeed cost Sundowns in this tournament. Despite showcasing real attacking flair against Dortmund – impressively clawing their way back from a 4-1 deficit to 4-3 – defensive errors proved costly.
Indeed, A loose pass from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams gifted Dortmund their opener, and the backline struggled to recover. That being said, Sundowns didn’t crumble under pressure. Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothiba provided a late lifeline with goals that nearly sparked an incredible comeback.
Crucially, Fluminense also showed vulnerabilities in their campaign, notably trailing Ulsan 2-1 at halftime before surging back to win 4-2. This indicates that their defense isn’t impenetrable, a fact that will undoubtedly fuel Sundowns’ hope and determination.
Player Spotlight
Chief among the players on show is the fiery Lucas Ribeiro Costa. The Mamelodi Sundowns dangerman demonstrated his dangerous capabilities with a dazzling solo goal against Dortmund and has the ability to punish even the slightest defensive lapse.
Furthermore, Lebo Mothiba also remains an option off the bench for Cardoso, though he’s unlikely to displace Rayners, who’s riding a wave of confidence after scoring in consecutive matches.
How to watch
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 21:00 on Wednesday, 25 June and will be carried live satellite TV giants SuperSport channel 203 and can be streamed on Showmax.
Betting odds (supplied by Hollywoodbets)
To win (90 min)
Mamelodi Sundowns 26/10 | Draw 39/20 | Fluminense 1/1
As this is the first-ever meeting between these two clubs, the absence of previous encounters adds an extra layer of intrigue to the match, as both teams will be entering uncharted territory.
After their seven goal showdown with Dortmund, I am certain Sundowns will fancy their chances against this Fluminense outfit!