Despite succumbing to a stunning defeat last time out, Paris Saint-Germain will book their place in the Club World Cup round of 16 with a victory over the Seattle Sounders on Monday.

Luis Enrique only made a couple of changes from the team that thumped Atlético Madrid for their clash with South American champions Botafogo, and they were stifled by Renato Paiva’s side in a 1–0 defeat.

There’s no reason for panic, though, with PSG expected to cruise into the knockout stages. The Sounders have so far acquitted themselves pretty well at the tournament, but the gulf between these two teams is seismic. The MLS side haven’t been eliminated just yet, but they require a miracle to advance.

Only a victory of at least three goals over the UEFA Champions League winners and a win for Botafogo over Atléti will see Seattle into the next phase. PSG, meanwhile, will likely top the group should they triumph at Lumen Field and Botafogo are beaten.

Here is Sports Illustrated’s guide to this Club World Cup fixture.

Seattle Sounders vs. PSG Head-to-Head Record

This is the first competitive fixture Seattle Sounders and PSG.

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Center back Yeimar Gómez entered the tournament carrying a knock and hasn’t played a part in Seattle’s opening two fixtures. Kim Hee-kim was also an injury concern on Matchday 1 but started against Botafogo. He returned to the bench last time out, however.

Stuart Russell Hawkins should miss out again, while Kalani Kossa-Rienzi was forced off late on Matchday 2. Paul Arriola is a long-term absentee.

Albert Rusnák has been the star of Seattle’s 2025 MLS campaign, and the creative midfielder was on the scoresheet in the defeat to Atléti. He’ll aim to inspire a major upset from a number ten position.

Seattle Sounders predicted lineup vs. PSG (4-2-3-1): Frei; Roldan, Bell, Ragen, Baker-Whiting; Roldan, Vargas; De La Vega, Rusnák, Kent; Ferreira.

PSG undoubtedly felt the absence of Ousmané Dembélé against Botafogo, with Enrique again opting for Gonçalo Ramos up top. While Dembélé, who’s struggling with a thigh injury, is likely to be preserved for the knockout stages—assuming the European champions progress—there could be a change to their frontline.

Bradley Barcola was utilised as PSG’s false nine in their 2–1 victory over Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals, and the winger could perform a similar role on Monday.

Nuno Mendes, Marquinhos, João Neves and Fabián Ruiz should all return to the starting XI.

PSG predicted lineup vs. Seattle Sounders (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Fabián; Doué, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia

PSG lacked a bit of punch against a resilient Botafogo, with the Brazilians’ stunning triumph likely to serve as a wake-up call for the European champions.

They may be without Dembélé again, but Enrique is otherwise expected to name a full-strength team against the Sounders. They’re poised to bounce back on Monday.

While Seattle have performed admirably in their two defeats at the tournament, PSG are a class above and they’re bound to be swept aside without laying a glove on the French behemoths.

Prediction: Seattle Sounders 0–3 PSG

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