ES Tunis vs Chelsea: Club World Cup Group Stage Preview
In a crucial match for both teams, Chelsea will advance to the last-16 stage of the Club World Cup if they avoid defeat against ES Tunis on Tuesday in Philadelphia. Currently, Chelsea sits second in Group D, three points behind Flamengo, while being level on points with ES Tunis.
Match Preview
ES Tunis began their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 loss to Flamengo but recovered with a 1-0 victory against Los Angeles FC. The team is now third in Group D, needing a win against Chelsea to secure advancement.
A draw would not suffice for ES Tunis, as Chelsea holds a superior goal difference. The club qualified for this tournament as the highest-ranked eligible team in the CAF four-year ranking, marking their fourth appearance in the competition, previously competing in 2011, 2018, and 2019.
Since April, Tunis has suffered only one loss across all competitions, a fact that boosts their confidence heading into this pivotal game.
Chelsea opened with a straightforward 2-0 win against LAFC but faced a setback against Flamengo, losing 3-1 after leading 1-0. With Nicolas Jackson sent off during that encounter, Chelsea will need to secure at least a draw to guarantee their progression in the tournament.
They qualified for the Club World Cup by winning the 2020-21 Champions League and are competing for the third time, having won in their last appearance.
Current Form
- ES Tunis Club World Cup Form: LW
- ES Tunis Form (All Competitions): DWWWLW
- Chelsea Club World Cup Form: WL
- Chelsea Form (All Competitions): LWWWWL
Team News
ES Tunis is likely to field the same squad that triumphed over LAFC. Key players include Youcef Belaili, who will play a vital role in attack, and Rodrigo Rodrigues in midfield.
In contrast, Chelsea will be without Jackson due to his red card. The squad remains largely unchanged, with potential adjustments including Reece James moving back to right-back, allowing Noni Madueke to start in attack.
Possible Starting Lineup – ES Tunis: Ben Said; Ben Ali, Tougai, Meriah, Ben Hamida; Mokwana, Guenichi, Ogbelu, Konate; Belaili; Rodrigo
Possible Starting Lineup – Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Delap
Prediction
We anticipate a closely contested match, favoring Chelsea with a narrow victory of 2-1 against ES Tunis. Both teams showcase quality, but the Blues are expected to secure their progression to the next round.