Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to book their spot in the final of this summer’s Club World Cup, Chelsea will meet Fluminense at the MetLife Stadium on Tuesday night.
Fluminense
Starting with Fluminense, enjoying what has been an iconic Club World Cup adventure this summer, the South American giants have rightfully received a string of public praise from across the globe. Already cementing their spot as this summer’s ultimate surprise package, Renato Gaucho’s men are in the midst of what has become a real purple patch, Punching their semi-final spot last week thanks to an eye-catching 2-1 victory against Al-Hilal, the Tricolor are riding a sensational wave of momentum. Collecting what was a famous scalp on June 30th as they clinched a 2-0 win against Champions League finalists Inter Milan, Fluminense find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Unbeaten in all of their five Club World Cup showdowns this summer, Gaucho’s camp shouldn’t be overlooked by any measure on Tuesday night.
Fluminense Team News
Picking up a pair of costly first-half bookings against Al-Hilal last week, Fluminense will be without the duo of Juan Freytes and Brazilian midfielder Martinelli on Tuesday night. However, serving his own respective one-match suspension last week, one-time Flamengo defender Rene could make a full return.
Despite turning 40 back in September, former Chelsea star Thiago Silva will start at the heart of Gaucho’s defence here. Bagging the winner against Al-Hilal last week and notching consecutive knockout stage goals, 24-year-old Hercules will be hoping for a full recall.
Chelsea
As for Chelsea, while the Blues might have come under real scrutiny on June 20th as they fell to a 3-1 loss against Flamengo, Enzo Maresca’s men have come roaring back in an impressive fashion. Extending on their Club World Cup adventure last week as they claimed a 2-1 win against Palmeiras, the former Leicester City boss will be looking to snatch another heavyweight South American scalp here. Getting their summer campaign underway with a 2-0 victory against Los Angeles, Chelsea have their sights now set on clinching another piece of silverware. Crowned Europa Conference League champions on May 28th as they stormed their way to a 4-1 romp against Spanish outfit Real Betis, Maresca’s men travel to New Jersey on Tuesday night pencilled in as a standout contender.
Chelsea Team News
While Jamie Gittens might have completed a big-money move to Chelsea this month, the former Borussia Dortmdun star is ineligible to feature on Tuesday night. Likewise, fellow summer recruit Liam Delap will miss out in New Jersey as the ex-Ipswich striker serves a one-match suspension.
Finding the net against Palmeiras last week and opening his Club World Cup account, England international Cole Palmer will play a leading role in the final third. Despite speculation over a summer move away from Stamford Bridge, Nicolas Jackson should be handed a full recall.
Fluminense vs Chelsea Key Factors to Consider
- Tuesday’s showdown at the MetLife Stadium will be the first competitive meeting between Fluminense and Chelsea.
- Despite falling to a 3-1 loss against Flamengo on June 20th, Chelsea have won each of their other four summer appearances.
- Including a 2-1 quarter-final victory against Al-Hilal last week, Fluminense are unbeaten in all of their five Club World Cup appearances this summer.
- Chelsea have recorded consecutive clean sheets across all competitions on just a single occasion since the start of April.
- Three of Chelsea’s last four Club World Cup appearances have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
While Chelsea might travel to New Jersey on Tuesday night pencilled in as a standout contender, the Blues should be bracing themselves for another tricky test. Despite coming past another South American giant last week as they snatched a 2-1 victory against Palmeiras, Fluminense shouldn’t be over looked by any measure. Watching the Tricolor extend on their summer adventure thanks to a 2-1 win against Al-Hilal, Gaucho’s side have embarked on a sensational Club World Cup adventure. With Chelsea seeing three of their last four summer appearances finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet
