Chelsea and Palmeiras meet once again at the FIFA Club World Cup – this time in the quarter-finals – three years after the Blues beat the Brazilians in extra-time to lift the 2021 title.
Kick-off is at 2 a.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1) at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia and fans can catch the action live for free on the DAZN website and app.
Palmeiras arrive off the back of a tense, all-Brazilian brawl with Botafogo, where they held their nerve to advance. But the win came at a cost — key defenders Gustavo Gomés and Joaquín Piquerez are both suspended. Ferreira is expected to plug the gaps with Micael and Vanderlan, while veteran striker Paulinho, still carrying a knock, is likely to be used sparingly once again.
All eyes will be on Estêvão, the 18-year-old gem already Chelsea signed. This could well be his farewell in green.
In midfield, Richard Ríos has quietly run the show all tournament and will fancy his chances against a Chelsea side missing suspended Moisés Caicedo.
Chelsea scraped past Benfica after a chaotic, storm-delayed match, but questions remain. Enzo Maresca’s side has yet to hit top gear, and Palmeiras won’t be pushovers.
The Blues are missing Caicedo and could also be without Roméo Lavia, meaning Andrey Santos may be handed a rare start alongside Enzo Fernández. Cole Palmer, still Chelsea’s best creative outlet, is expected to play centrally again with Madueke and potentially Pedro Neto flanking him — the latter playing through personal grief after the loss of close friend Diogo Jota in a car crash in Spain.
João Pedro, the latest addition, may start on the bench but could feature if things get tight. Nicolas Jackson returns from suspension and is expected to start up top over Liam Delap, who is one yellow away from suspension.
Predicted Lineups:
Palmeiras (4-2-3-1):
Wéverton; Giay, Micael, Fuchs, Vanderlan; Martínez, Ríos; Estêvão, Torres, Allan; Roque
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
Sánchez; James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Santos, Fernández; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Jackson
Score Prediction:
Chelsea have more firepower, more depth, and a golden path to the final. Palmeiras will fight, and Estêvão may have his say, but this should be the match where Maresca’s men finally click. The Blues are to advance — and convincingly.
MWN says Palmeiras 0–3 Chelsea
