Chelsea is set to play against ES Tunis in their final Group D match of the Club World Cup, a game of significant importance.
The Blues require just a single point from this encounter to secure their progression to the last 16 of the tournament.
Following a 3-1 defeat to Flamengo on Friday night, Enzo Maresca`s side can now only finish in second place in Group D, as the Brazilian team currently holds a three-point lead at the top.
A loss tonight would mean Chelsea`s elimination from the Club World Cup, as ES Tunis would then surpass them in the group standings.
- Kick-off time: 2am BST
- Live stream: Available on DAZN
- ES Tunis team: To be announced
- Chelsea team: To be announced
Match Updates and Team News
Ahead of the crucial match, here are some updates:
Gittens Transfer Target
While the focus is on the pitch, Chelsea have reportedly been active off it. Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens is rumored to be a potential summer target, with Chelsea reportedly his preferred destination. The club is hopeful of completing a deal soon.
Andrey Santos` Potential Debut
Midfielder Andrey Santos impressed while on loan at Strasbourg last season but has yet to make a senior appearance for Chelsea. Despite a less successful previous loan at Nottingham Forest, he now appears ready. With Chelsea`s pre-season officially starting after the Club World Cup, it`s possible manager Maresca is holding him back, but the player`s talent is evident. The question remains whether Santos will make his Chelsea debut tonight.
Neto`s Scoring Form
Pedro Neto has adapted well to the Club World Cup competition. The Portuguese winger, who recently won the Nations League final with Portugal, has continued his strong form. With two goals in two games, he is currently Chelsea`s leading scorer in the tournament. Can he extend his scoring run tonight?
Jackson`s Suspension
Nicolas Jackson will be unavailable for this match due to suspension, having also missed the end of the Premier League season after a red card against Newcastle (though he scored in the Conference League final). Jackson received another red card in the Club World Cup match against Flamengo for a poor challenge, which significantly impacted the game, leading to Chelsea`s 3-1 defeat with ten men. Liam Delap is expected to start in Jackson`s absence and has an opportunity to make a strong case for being the first-choice striker next season.
Current Group D Standings
With two games played for each team, here is the current situation in the group:
- Flamengo: 6 points (Qualified)
- Chelsea: 3 points
- ES Tunis: 3 points
- LAFC: 0 points (Eliminated)
Flamengo has secured their spot in the next round, and LAFC is out. The match between Chelsea and ES Tunis will determine which team joins Flamengo in the knockout stage.
