Chelsea wouldn’t have been anticipating to seek out themselves combating for his or her Membership World Cup future once they reached the ultimate sport of what seemed to be a manageable group stage, however right here they’re. Enzo Maresca’s aspect are nonetheless robust favorites to advance to the final 16, however to take action, they can not afford to lose to Esperance de Tunis.
That’s the actuality after a dangerous 3-1 defeat to Flamengo at Lincoln Monetary Area on Friday evening, Nicolas Jackson’s crimson card coming within the midst of a formidable fightback from the Brazilians, who had been good worth for a win that propelled them to prime spot in Group D. Jackson’s absence will increase the stress on Liam Delap, the previous Ipswich City striker who struggled in his first full begin for his new membership. With Cole Palmer additionally in detached type, Chelsea may battle to get the targets to drag away from their Tunisian opponents.
Beating Los Angeles FC in Orlando meant that ES Tunis gave themselves an opportunity at what can be a surprising berth within the final 16. The 34-time champions of Tunisia have seemed to be a tricky nut to crack defensively, holding Flamengo to only one objective till the seventieth minute of a 2-0 defeat. If they will frustrate Chelsea early on, maybe they are going to have an opportunity.
Viewing data
- Date: Tuesday, June 24 | Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Lincoln Monetary Area — Philadelphia, PA
- Stay stream: Watch on DAZN (free of charge)
- Odds: ES Tunis +850; Draw +400; Chelsea -333
Final assembly
This would be the first aggressive assembly between the 2 groups.
Predicted lineups
ES Tunis: Bechir Ben Mentioned; 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
Participant to observe
Pedro Neto, Chelsea: Whereas so many different Chelsea forwards have struggled within the Membership World Cup, Neto has delivered to this point on this competitors. Objectives in every sport have been greater than sufficient, however Neto has additionally excelled creatively, averaging 0.26 anticipated assists to go together with his 0.46 anticipated targets.
Storyline to observe
Membership World Cup brings the warmth: A Warmth Well being Emergency has been declared in Philadelphia, the place temperatures might clear 100 levels for the primary time since 2012. By the point each groups take to the pitch at 9 p.m., forecasts predict that temperatures will nonetheless be within the 80s with excessive humidity, situations which is able to absolutely problem Chelsea particularly. Maresca has already tailored by limiting the minutes of gamers with muscle points, akin to Reece James and should have to take action additional.
Prediction
The situations could not favor them however Chelsea actually should have the standard to win this sport with out having to exert an excessive amount of within the warmth. Choose: ES Tunis 0, Chelsea 2
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