Chelsea vs Palmeiras: Caicedo Out, Pressure On in Club World Cup Quarterfinal
Chelsea are gearing up for a tricky Club World Cup quarter final showdown against Palmeiras, and it’s safe to say the pressure is real. After a shaky group stage that included a 2-0 defeat to Flamengo, Enzo Maresca’s side bounced back with wins over LAFC and ES Tunis, landing on the easier side of the bracket, at least on paper.
But if Chelsea fans are expecting a walkover, think again. Palmeiras have looked sharp, structured, and well-drilled and if Flamengo could beat Chelsea, so can El Verdão.
To make matters worse, Moises Caicedo, arguably Chelsea’s most important midfield presence, is suspended for this one. Benoît Badiashile is also ruled out through injury, and Romeo Lavia might miss out due to a muscle issue. On the bright side, Nicolas Jackson returns and will likely lead the line but don’t be surprised if Liam Delap is hot on his heels for that No. 9 role. João Pedro is officially a Blue and registered, though he’s expected to start from the bench.
Predicted Lineups Chelsea Vs Palmeiras
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; Delap
The stakes are sky-high, a spot in the semi-finals and the chance to fly the Premier League flag on the world stage. Without Caicedo, Chelsea must dig deep. The presence of Andre Santos in the midfield area will provide a new dynamic to the team as he was on loan to Strasbourg for the last season and has been performing well in the Ligue 1.
Where to Watch Chelsea Vs Palmeiras:
- United States: DAZN, TUDN.com, TNT USA
- Canada: DAZN, FIFA+
- United Kingdom: DAZN, FIFA+
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