The first semifinal of the Club World Cup will decide a spot in the final as Fluminense and Chelsea face off on Tuesday. This will be Chelsea`s third encounter with a Brazilian opponent in the tournament. After their previous match against Flamengo, the Blues are expected to be better prepared for the physical challenge Fluminense might bring. Enzo Maresca`s squad will be without Liam Delap due to accumulated yellow cards, but with Joao Pedro recently making his Chelsea debut, there are still plenty of attacking options available.
Fluminense`s defense will be anchored by former Chelsea player Thiago Silva, who has been instrumental in guiding his team through previous challenges. Supported by opportunistic scoring, Fluminense stands as the only non-European team left. While they`ve approached the tournament differently from other Brazilian clubs, this doesn`t diminish their chances of winning this match and earning a spot in the final.
How to Watch and Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, July 8 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Live stream: Watch on DAZN (for free)
- Odds: Fluminense +450; Draw +260; Chelsea -150
Last Meeting
These two teams have never officially met before.
Predicted Lineups
Fluminense: Fabio, Juan Pablo Freytes, Thiago Silva, Ignacio, Gabriel Fuentes, Nonato, Facundo Bernal, Matheus Martinelli, Samuel Xavier, Jhon Arias, German Cano
Chelsea: Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Nicolas Jackson
Player to Watch
Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea: Chelsea has rotated their squad frequently in this tournament to manage player fitness. However, when facing a defense like Fluminense`s, performing in crucial moments will be key. Beyond his important set-piece delivery, Fernandez will need to dominate possession in midfield. Any hesitation could lead to turnovers forced by Fluminense, so Chelsea must remain vigilant.
Storyline to Watch
Can the “ugly duckling” prevail? Fluminense manager Renato Gaucho commented on the financial importance of this tournament for his club, stating, “We are the ugly duckling when it comes to finances, but on the pitch it`s 11 vs 11.” This statement also hints at their less conventional playing style. Defeating Chelsea would be a significant achievement, potentially setting up a final perceived as “Brazil versus the world.”
Prediction
Cole Palmer is expected to build on his goal in the previous match by scoring the decisive goal in this game, sending Chelsea through to another Club World Cup Final. As the Blues aim to lift the trophy again following their 2022 success, a victory here would bring them one step closer.
Predicted Score: Fluminense 0, Chelsea 1
