FIFA Club World Cup: Team news, broadcast options, preview for Urawa Reds vs. Man City on Dec. 19, 2023

Topics: TV Schedules, Urawa Reds, Manchester City, FIFA Club World Cup

The Cityzens lock horns with the Reds in the semifinals of this competition, with the winner progressing to face Fluminense in the ultimate game. Here is a preview of this tie.

Where can I watch Urawa Reds vs. Manchester City live?

This game will not be televised in the USA. Those in the UK can tune in to TNT Sports 2. Meanwhile, fans can catch this game internationally live via FIFA+. If you live elsewhere, please check our dedicated match page for further information on how to follow this game live on TV in your country.

Preview

Manchester City are preparing to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time in history following last season's UEFA Champions League success. As is the case with previous European champions, the Cityzens enter this tournament in the semifinal round where they will face Japanese giants Urawa Reds at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the Premier League holders aiming to be crowned champions of the world.

Pep Guardiola's men are the undoubted favorites. Haaland and Co. completed the treble last season, winning not only the UEFA Champions League but the Premier League and FA Cup as well, beating Arsenal and city rivals Manchester United to those domestic titles respectively.

However, the club's form has taken a turn for the worse recently. Man City are currently five points behind league leaders Arsenal and could drop out of the top four in England come Christmas should Tottenham win over the weekend. In other words, their recent results have been poor by their unmatched standards.

Pep's men have won only once in their last six league games, with that sole victory being a 2-1 comeback victory over newly-promoted side Luton Town. Most of those slip-ups have been draws — only Aston Villa beat the Cityzens during this period — drawing four times, including the recent 2-2 stalemate at home to Crystal Palace.

In that draw with the Eagles, the English champions marched into a 2-0 lead and appeared destined for victory. However, two late goals, including a stoppage-time penalty, saw Roy Hodgson's men secure a point, much to the frustration of Guardiola.

Nonetheless, Tuesday presents the club with a new test. Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense have already progressed to the final, beating CAF Champions League holders Al Ahly 2-0 a day earlier. It is up to the Manchester City players to book a showdown with the Brazilian side in the ultimate game.

Urawa Reds, on the other hand, face the daunting task of overcoming arguably the world's best team. This comes after the Japanese heavyweights secured their ticket to this tournament after winning the AFC Champions League, beating Saudi Pro League heavyweights Al-Hilal in the final.

As a result, the Reds secured a second-round entry where they faced CONCACAF Champions League holders Leon. Maciej Skorża's men overcame the Liga MX side, triumphing 1-0, with Leon's William Tesillo getting sent off. However, this does not mean all has been well for the J1 League outfit.

Despite being the AFC Champions League holders, Jose Kante and Co. were eliminated in the group stage of their title defense. Domestically, Urawa Reds have won only five of their last 10 matches and as a result, they finished the campaign in fourth, just outside of the AFC Champions League slots.

An impressive campaign in the FIFA Club World Cup could make amends but that would require beating Manchester City, a feat most teams in the world would struggle to achieve.

Team news

Urawa Reds: Takahiro Akimoto, Takahiro Sekine, and Tomoaki Okubo all picked up injuries in the win over Leon. However, Hiroki Sakai has returned to fitness and should be in contention.

Man City: Kevin de Bruyne is back on the grass but the Belgian is not yet fit to return. Additionally, Pep will be without Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku for this tie, thus handing Julian Alvarez and Jack Grealish an opportunity to impress in their natural positions.

Key stats

Man City have conceded 11 goals in their last six matches.
Meanwhile, Guardiola's defense has not kept a clean sheet since their 3-0 win over Manchester United back in October.
An Asian club has never beaten a European side in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Urawa Reds have lost more than half (6) of their last 10 games across all competitions, winning only three.