Chelsea finds itself in an unexpected position, needing a result against Esperance de Tunis to guarantee qualification from the group stage of the Club World Cup. While still strong favorites to advance to the last 16, avoiding defeat against the Tunisian side is now essential after a recent setback.
This situation arose after a disappointing 3-1 loss to Flamengo on Friday night. The match saw Nicolas Jackson receive a red card during an impressive fightback from the Brazilian team, whose victory propelled them to the top spot in Group D. Jackson`s absence increases the pressure on Liam Delap, the former Ipswich Town forward, who struggled in his first full start for his new club. With Cole Palmer also showing inconsistent form, Chelsea may face difficulties finding the goals required to pull away from their Tunisian opponents.
Esperance de Tunis secured their opportunity for a surprising place in the last 16 by defeating Los Angeles FC in Orlando. The 34-time champions of Tunisia have demonstrated defensive solidity, conceding their second goal to Flamengo only in the 70th minute of a 2-0 defeat. If they can successfully frustrate Chelsea in the early stages, they might just create a chance for a shock result.
Last Meeting
These two clubs have never previously met in a competitive fixture.
Predicted Lineups
ES Tunis: Bechir Ben Said; Mohamed Ben Ali, Yassine Merria, Mohamed Tugai, Amine Ben Hamida; Elias Mokwana, Onuche Ogbelu, Khalil Guenichi, Abdramane Konate; Youcef Belaili, Rodrigo Rodrigues
Chelsea: Robert Sanchez; Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarbioyo, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella; Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo; Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto; Liam Delap
Player to Watch
Pedro Neto, Chelsea: While many of his Chelsea teammates in attack have struggled in the Club World Cup, Neto has consistently delivered. He has scored in both games played so far in the competition and has also been a notable creative force, with impressive expected goals and expected assists metrics.
Storyline to Watch
The Philadelphia Heat: A Heat Health Emergency has been declared in Philadelphia, with temperatures potentially reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time since 2012. Although the match kicks off at 9 p.m., forecasts predict temperatures will still be in the high 80s with significant humidity. These demanding conditions are likely to be particularly challenging for the Chelsea squad. Coach Enzo Maresca has already been cautious with players recovering from muscle issues, such as Reece James, and may need to make further adjustments to manage player fatigue.
Prediction
Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, Chelsea should possess enough quality to win this match without needing to exert excessive energy. Predicted Score: ES Tunis 0, Chelsea 2
