Chelsea faces an unexpectedly crucial match in the Club World Cup group stage. Despite entering as strong favorites to qualify for the last 16, Enzo Maresca`s squad now finds themselves in a position where they must avoid defeat against Esperance de Tunis to advance.
This challenging scenario stems from a damaging 3-1 loss to Flamengo on Friday night. Nicolas Jackson`s red card proved costly during an impressive comeback performance from the Brazilian side, who rightfully claimed the top spot in Group D with their victory. Jackson`s suspension adds pressure on Liam Delap, the former Ipswich Town forward who struggled in his first full start for Chelsea. With Cole Palmer also showing inconsistent form, scoring goals might be a concern for Chelsea as they look to secure a clear advantage over their Tunisian opponents.
By securing a win against Los Angeles FC in Orlando, ES Tunis created an opportunity for a potential surprise qualification to the last 16. The 34-time Tunisian champions have demonstrated defensive resilience, conceding only one goal to Flamengo until the 70th minute in their eventual 2-0 defeat. If they can effectively frustrate Chelsea`s attack in the early stages, they might just give themselves a chance at causing an upset.
Last Meeting
This upcoming fixture marks the first competitive encounter between ES Tunis and Chelsea.
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 Guston, 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 Chelsea`s forwards have faced difficulties in the Club World Cup so far, Pedro Neto has been an exception. He has scored in each match and also displayed creative quality, adding a threat in terms of assists to his goal-scoring ability.
Storyline to Watch
The Heat Factor: Philadelphia is currently under a Heat Health Emergency, with temperatures potentially reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Even with a 9 p.m. kickoff, forecasts predict temperatures remaining in the 80s alongside high humidity. These conditions are expected to be particularly challenging for the players, especially the Chelsea squad. Coach Maresca has already taken steps to manage player minutes due to muscle concerns, such as with Reece James, and may need to make further adjustments.
Prediction
Despite the difficult weather conditions, Chelsea should possess enough quality to win this match against ES Tunis without needing to exert excessive energy in the heat. We predict a win for Chelsea.
Predicted Score: ES Tunis 0, Chelsea 2
Dominic Ashworth