Brazilian side Palmeiras take on Mexico's Tigres on Sunday in Club World Cup action, with a place in the final at stake.

This will be Palmeiras' first appearance in this year's competition, while Tigres beat Ulsan Hyundai in the previous round.

Match preview

Palmeiras booked their spot in the Club World Cup with their second Copa Libertadores trophy in January, over 21 years after they lifted it for the first time.

In the final, they took on three-time champions Santos, with the game remaining goalless for 99 minutes.

Substitute Breno Lopes then scored a dramatic winner for the side from Sao Paulo, nine minutes into added time with a headed goal.

However, the Palestra Verdao have not had the best season in domestic action by their own standards, currently sitting in sixth place in the Brazilian top flight, trailing league leaders Sport Club Internacional by 13 points.

They remain without a win in their last four league matches, collecting just two points in that time, with the continental trophy providing a shining light in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

However, they do boast a very strong defensive record, with only league leaders Internacional conceding fewer than their 32 goals from 33 league games.

Abel Ferreira will be hoping that his side can bring their strong defensive ability into this game, to see them through to the final in Qatar.

They take on a Tigres side who qualified for the Club World Cup thanks to their first ever CONCACAF Champions League win.

They beat Los Angeles FC 2-1 in the final, when goals from Hugo Ayala and Andre-Pierre Gignac led the Mexican side to the crown after their opponents took the lead through Diego Rossi.

The previous year, Ricardo Ferretti's side fell at the final hurdle in the continental competition, losing 2-1 over two legs to Mexican rivals Monterrey in the final.

Their redemption this time around has helped Tigres stamp their authority on the continent, after their rise to prominence in recent years, helping to cement them as one of the best sides in North America.

Los Auriazules completed a comeback in their win over Ulsan in the previous round, with a Gignac brace overturning the deficit, after Kim Kee-Hee gave the Korean side an early lead.

This will give Ferretti's men confidence that they can pick up another win in this competition and advance to the final, where the winner will take on either Bayern Munich or Al Ahly.

Palmeiras form (all competitions): WLLDWD

Tigres Club World Cup form: W
Tigres form (all competitions): WWLWDW

Team News

Palmeiras will be without winger Wesley, who misses this game with a muscle injury.

They will also be missing creative midfielder Alanzinho, who remains on the sidelines with a leg fracture.

Andre-Pierre Gignac will lead the line for Tigres once again, with the Frenchman firing them to this stage of the competition with a brace in the last round, taking his tally to 126 goals for the Mexican outfit.

Their only unavailability should be winger Nicolas Lopez, who remains out following a positive coronavirus test.

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Rocha, Luan, Gomez, Vina; Menino, Veiga, Danilo, Rafael, Rony; Adriano

Tigres possible starting lineup:
Guzman; Rodriguez, Reyes, Meza, Salcedo; Carioca, Duenas; Quinones, Pizarro, Aquino; Gignac

We say: Palmeiras 1-2 Tigres

In what will be a closely fought encounter, we can see Tigres becoming the first side from their continent to reach the Club World Cup final with a narrow win. We expect Gignac to get on the scoresheet once again for his side, firing Ferretti's men through against tough opposition.