Club World Cup : Chelsea’s predicted X1 against Palmeiras

Chelsea will lock horns with Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, commonly known as Palmeiras Soccer FC in their final match in the ongoing Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

 The Blues will go into the game with the sole aim of winning the match as the Club World Cup is the only trophy missing in the Chelsea cabinet.

Therefore, It is expected that Chelsea will come out firing on all cylinders when they take on the Brazilian side.

Although the Blues made it to the FIFA World Club in Japan in 2012 after defeating Bayern Munich to emerge as the UEFA Champions League winners, they, however, failed to win the cup in their first attempt, as they were defeated in the final match by Corinthians, another Brazilian team, courtesy of Paolo Guerrero only goal of the match.

Chelsea nonetheless, has another opportunity to win the tournament this Saturday in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup when they square up with Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras 

 On the flip side, Palmeiras who has not also won the tournament before will go into the game knowing that a win over Chelsea will give them their first Club World Cup trophy and therefore will give it their best to emerge victoriously.

Palmeiras will certainly not be an easy nut to crack for Chelsea. Especially after their display against Al Ahly of Egypt in their semi-final clash, coupled with the kind of record and pedigree the team boasts of. Palmeiras has won 15 national competitions, a record 10 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, 4 Copa do Brasil, and 1 Copa dos Campeões, making it the most successful club in domestic competitions inside Brazil. In international club football, the Brazilian giant has won the 1951 Copa Rio, 1999, 2020 and 2021 Copa Libertadores, and the 1998 Copa Mercosul. The club has also been successful at a regional level as they have won 5 Interstate titles (Torneio Rio – São Paulo), and 23 State Championship titles (Campeonato Paulista). Palmeiras currently occupies the second position on the CBF ranking.

So with these achievements, one can safely say that Palmeiras is certainly not a pushover for a Chelsea side that has been struggling to win matches as they will be looking to add the Club World Cup trophy to their collections.

Hence, it is expected that the Chelsea gaffer will field a very strong side and also make use of the 4-3-3 formation when both teams meet. With that said, here is the predicted Chelsea line up vs Palmeiras

Defence

In the goal-keeping department, Kepa Arizzabalaga who has been outstanding since stepping in for Edouard Mendy retains his place between the sticks.

In the back four, Andrea Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, another outstanding player for the Blues this season will retain their places. While Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr will fill in the remaining two positions.

In the midfield, the coach is expected to use the trio of N’golo Kante, Jorgingho and Mateo Kovacic. This midfield partnership in my opinion will be perfect because, while Kante supported by Kovacic will be doing the man-marking, Jorgingho will be given the room to do the ball distribution. Also, with Kovacic’s ability to drive the ball forward, it will be easier to link the midfield and the attack.

In the attacking role, the coach should start the game with the trio of Rumelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz; with Lukaku leading the lines.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Palmeiras: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Antonio Rudiger, Christensen, Malang Sarr, Thiago Silva, N’golo Kante, Jorgingho, Mateo Kovacic, Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz

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