Chelsea Set for Crucial Clash Against ES Tunis in Club World Cup
In an upcoming vital match in the Club World Cup group stage, Chelsea faces ES Tunis in Philadelphia. The London club needs at least a draw to advance to the knockout stage.
Chelsea currently sits in second place in Group D, three points behind Flamengo, while both Chelsea and ES Tunis are level on points, making this match crucial for both teams.
Match Preview
ES Tunis began their Club World Cup journey with a 2-0 loss to Flamengo but rebounded with a 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC in their last match. They are currently third in Group D, needing a win against Chelsea to secure their pathway to the next round.
A draw would not suffice for ES Tunis as Chelsea holds a superior goal difference. The team qualified for the tournament based on their ranking in the CAF’s four-year ranking, marking their fourth appearance in the Club World Cup.
Since April, ES Tunis has only lost once across all competitions, which adds to their confidence ahead of this matchup.
Chelsea started their tournament with a straightforward 2-0 victory over LAFC but suffered a setback in their second game against Flamengo, losing 3-1 after Nicolas Jackson received a red card. As it stands, Chelsea must either win or draw to progress; a second consecutive loss would result in elimination.
Chelsea qualified for the tournament after winning the 2020-21 Champions League and revisits the Club World Cup for the third time, having previously won in 2021.
Recent Form:
- ES Tunis Club World Cup: LW
- ES Tunis overall: DWWWLW
- Chelsea Club World Cup: WL
- Chelsea overall: LWWWWL
Team News
ES Tunis is likely to field the same lineup that secured victory against LAFC, featuring key players like Youcef Belaili and Rodrigo Rodrigues. The team’s defense will include Yassine Meriah and Elias Mokwana, who both pose threats to Chelsea’s chances.
Chelsea will miss Nicolas Jackson due to suspension but has other options available, including summer arrival Liam Delap. There may be changes at right-back, possibly allowing Reece James to return to his preferred position.
Projected Lineups:
- ES Tunis: Ben Ali; Tougai, Meriah, Ben Hamida; Mokwana, Guenichi, Ogbelu, Konate; Belaili, Rodrigo
- Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Delap
Final Prediction
In a match deemed competitive, Chelsea may narrowly secure a 2-1 victory against ES Tunis, based on their quality and previous performance metrics.
Stay tuned for updates on this critical fixture as both teams vie for a place in the knockout round of the Club World Cup.