Chelsea finds themselves in a critical position heading into the final match of their Club World Cup group stage. What initially seemed like a straightforward path has become a fight for survival. Despite being strong favorites to qualify for the last 16, Enzo Maresca`s side cannot afford to lose against Esperance de Tunis.
This situation arose after a challenging 3-1 defeat to Flamengo on Friday night. Adding to Chelsea`s difficulties, Nicolas Jackson received a red card during Flamengo`s impressive comeback, which ultimately secured the Brazilian team the top spot in Group D.
Jackson`s suspension places increased pressure on players like Liam Delap. The former Ipswich Town striker had a difficult time in his first full start for the club. Coupled with Cole Palmer`s inconsistent recent form, there are concerns about Chelsea`s goal-scoring ability against their Tunisian opponents.
Esperance de Tunis secured their chance for a stunning last-16 berth by defeating Los Angeles FC in Orlando. The 34-time Tunisian champions have proven to be defensively resilient, having held Flamengo to a single goal until the 70th minute in their 2-0 loss. If they can frustrate Chelsea early in the match, they might create opportunities for themselves.
Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, June 24
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field — Philadelphia, PA
Last Meeting
This upcoming match will be 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 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: In contrast to the struggles of some other Chelsea attackers in this tournament, Pedro Neto has been a consistent threat. He has scored in both games and demonstrated significant creativity, with strong expected goals and expected assists metrics.
Key Storyline: The Impact of the Heat
Philadelphia is experiencing a Heat Health Emergency, with temperatures potentially reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Even for the 9 p.m. ET kickoff, forecasts predict temperatures remaining in the high 80s with high humidity. These conditions are likely to challenge both teams, particularly Chelsea, and may force coach Enzo Maresca to manage player minutes carefully, especially for players susceptible to muscle injuries like Reece James.
Prediction
Despite the potentially difficult weather conditions, Chelsea possesses the necessary quality to win this match without needing to expend excessive energy in the heat. They should be able to secure the result needed to advance.
Predicted Score: ES Tunis 0, Chelsea 2
Adrian Whitmore 
Benedict Kingsley