Chelsea vs Flamengo Preview: Club World Cup Game in Philadelphia

Chelsea vs Flamengo Preview: Club World Cup Game in Philadelphia

Chelsea will look to continue their strong start at the FIFA Club World Cup when they face Brazilian giants Flamengo on Friday night in Philadelphia. Both teams secured victories in their opening group matches and are targeting top spot to book a place in the knockout stages.

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Current Form and Background

Chelsea began their campaign with a 2-0 win over LAFC, with Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez getting on the scoresheet. It was a dominant display from Enzo Maresca’s side, who have now won nine of their last 10 matches, keeping three clean sheets in their last four.

Flamengo, led by former Chelsea left-back Filipe Luis, kicked off their tournament with a 2-0 win against Esperance de Tunis. Goals from Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Luiz Araujo secured the result. Luis has enjoyed a strong start to life in management, with 32 wins, 11 draws, and just 3 losses in his first 46 competitive games.

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Head-to-Head: Key Storylines

• Flamengo are currently top of the Brasileiro Série A, winning 7 of their first 11 matches.
• Chelsea, the 2025 UEFA Conference League winners and Premier League top-four finishers, are competing in the Club World Cup for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2021.
• A win for Chelsea would seal qualification for the last 16 if Esperance fail to beat LAFC.

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Team News & Lineups

Chelsea

• Mykhaylo Mudryk remains suspended due to a doping charge.
• Wesley Fofana is still sidelined following hamstring surgery.
• Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi, and Djordje Petrovic were left out of the Club World Cup squad amid transfer links.
• Enzo Fernandez is expected to start after scoring off the bench.
• New signing Liam Delap, who assisted Fernandez, may earn his first start.

Predicted lineup:
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):

Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Delap

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Flamengo

• Jorginho is expected to feature against his former club.
• Alex Sandro could return from injury and start at left-back.
• Pedro is still regaining full fitness after injury, with Bruno Henrique likely to lead the line.
• The Brazilian club are unbeaten in 9 games and have kept 4 straight clean sheets.

Predicted starting lineup:
Flamengo (4-2-3-1):

Rossi; Varela, Ortiz, Pereira, Sandro; Pulgar, Jorginho; Gerson, De Arrascaeta, Araujo; Henrique

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Expert Insight: Guilherme Calvano, Flamengo Analyst

“Flamengo vs Chelsea has everything to be one of the most interesting matches of this Club World Cup group stage.

Boosted after a confident win, Flamengo are unlikely to sit deep. They like to dominate possession, much like Chelsea, so this will be a tactical battle.

Filipe Luis may rotate, with Alex Sandro returning and Bruno Henrique preferred over Pedro up front due to mobility.

Despite Chelsea being the favourites, Flamengo’s strong form and tactical organisation under Filipe Luis make them genuine contenders for an upset.”

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Match Facts

• Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
• Kick-off Time: Friday, 7:00 PM Uk time
• Competition: FIFA Club World Cup, Group Stage

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This is a clash between two in-form, confident sides. Chelsea’s superior squad depth and recent European pedigree give them the edge, but Flamengo’s momentum and tactical discipline under Filipe Luis should not be underestimated. Expect a close and competitive match that could go either way.

Chelsea vs Flamengo Preview: Club World Cup Game in Philadelphia