Flamengo v Al-Hilal: Brilliant Brazilians will cruise to final

Dan Fitch can't look past the Copa Libertadores holders Flamengo when they clash with Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup semi-final...

Flamengo 1.42 v Al-Hilal 8.60; The Draw 4.70
Tuesday 17 December, 17:30
Live on BBCi

Boys from Brazil focused on lifting world crown

Flamengo from Brazil take on Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia in the Club World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, with the winner likely to play the European champions Liverpool in the final, should they deal with Mexico's Monterrey.

Al-Hilal have already played one game in the tournament, beating Esperance de Tunis in the second round 1-0. The result was a continuation of their domestic form, with Al-Hilal having now won each of their last five games and keeping clean sheets in three of them. Their squad is mainly made up of Saudis with a smattering of imports, such as the former Flamengo midfielder Gustavo Cuellar, Sebastian Giovinco and Bafetimbi Gomis.

Flamengo have qualified directly for the semi-finals as the champions of South America and are very much favoured to make the final. It's been a great year for Flamengo, who won their second Copa Libertadores after a 38-year wait and lifted the Brazilian title.

Their last outing saw Flamengo defeated 4-0 by Santos, which ended a 28-match unbeaten streak. Not too much should be read into that result considering that Flamengo had already fulfilled their aims and would have already had their sights set on this tournament. With Europe's top clubs circling Flamengo's star players and their Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, this could be Flamengo's last chance to lift a final piece of silverware before this team is broken up.

Flamengo can get the job done early

Flamengo are the 1.42 favourites to win. Their last two wins have seen them leading at the break and you can boost Flamengo's price by backing them to win half-time/full-time at 2.20.

The prolific Gabriel Barbosa has scored seven goals in his last five games and is 3.20 to score the first goal. Another goalscoring option is Bruno Henrique, who is 2.10 to find the net.