Five-time Chinese Super League champions and two-time AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande of China is set to face 23-time La Liga champions and five-time UEFA Champions League titlists FC Barcelona in a high-profile football match in the semifinals of the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup.

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The match, to be held at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan on Thursday, December 17, is said to be highly anticipated by all football fans worldwide.

While Barça is definitely the odds-on favorite to win the game and advance to the final on Sunday, the Southern China Tigers should definitely not be counted out especially now that the team is led by World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and his Brazilian crew composed of Elkeson, Paulinho, Robinho, Alan, and Ricardo Goulart.

Moreover, with team captain Zheng Zhi, one of the top candidates for the AFC Player of the Year award, continuing to play in top form, Guangzhou is capable of giving the Catalonia giants more than a good fight.

Spanish defender Jordi Alba said that he "expects a tough challenge against Guangzhou Evergrande", Barça's official website reports.

Alba said to have refused to discuss the final of the said tournament with reporters as the 26-year-old is well aware that a potential upset could happen if Barcelona becomes too confident.

"I'm sure they're going to make things very difficult for us," Alba said, referring to the Tianhe Stadium residents.

Meanwhile, midfielder Javier Mascherano emphasizes the importance of winning this tournament to cement Barça's status as the world's best football club.

"Lots of people believe that this is a minor competition, but it is not like that, they are wrong. For us it is a very important competition and it will have an effect on the rest of the season," the Argentine said.

Barcelona is coming into the match failing to win its last two games in La Liga while Guangzhou has just won the AFC Champions League title more than two weeks ago and so the momentum that each side will carry in the match would be interesting to note.

Also, Brazilian captain Neymar is unavailable in the tourney as he is still recuperating from a groin injury suffered during their last game against Deportivo La Coruna in Spain.

Prediction: A hard-fought 3-1 victory for Barcelona.

FC Barcelona starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): ter Stegen; Adriano, Bartra, Vermaelen, Alba; Rakitic, Samper, Mascherano; Sandro, Suárez, Messi

Guangzhou Evergrande starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Zeng; Zhang, Mei, Feng, Li; Paulinho, Zheng Zhi; Huang, Goulart, Zheng Long; Elkeson 

Tags2015 FIFA Club World Cup, 2015 FIFA Club World Cup semifinals, FC Barcelona vs Guangzhou Evergrande, Football, China Football News, China Football News 2015, Luis Felipe Scolari