Chelsea faces Espérance Tunis in a crucial Club World Cup Group D match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 2:00 AM BST. The game holds significant importance for both teams as they vie for a spot in the round of 16.

The Stakes

Chelsea's progression to the knockout stage hangs in the balance after a surprising 3-1 defeat to Flamengo. They currently sit second in Group D with three points, level with Espérance Tunis. A win or a draw would secure Chelsea's place in the next round due to their superior goal difference. However, a loss would see them eliminated from the competition, a result that would be considered a major embarrassment for the Premier League giants. Espérance Tunis, on the other hand, needs a win to advance. After losing 2-0 to Flamengo in their opening match, they bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC.

How to Watch

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Channel 5, with coverage starting at 1:00 AM BST. It will also be available for live streaming via DAZN, which is offering free access to all 63 matches of the Club World Cup through its freemium platform. Additionally, fans can follow the game with minute-by-minute updates on the Official Chelsea App and the Official Chelsea Website. Highlights will be available on the Chelsea website and app from 9:00 AM UK time, and a full match replay will be available from 4:00 AM on Friday, June 27.

Team News

Chelsea will be without Nicolas Jackson, who is suspended after receiving a red card against Flamengo. Liam Delap is expected to start in his place. Enzo Maresca is likely to field a strong lineup to avoid an early exit from the tournament. Several players are at risk of suspension if they receive a yellow card in this match, including Delap, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Pedro Neto, and Tosin Adarabioyo.

Espérance Tunis will be without Belaïli, who is suspended due to accumulated bookings.

Form and Predictions

Chelsea's form has been inconsistent, with a win against LAFC followed by a loss to Flamengo. Espérance Tunis has won eight of their last ten matches, but they are still considered underdogs against Chelsea.

Bookmakers favor Chelsea to win the match. A 3-0 victory for Chelsea is predicted. Other sources suggest a narrower 2-1 win for Chelsea.

The Context

Chelsea qualified for the Club World Cup as the winners of the 2020-21 Champions League. They are making their third appearance in the competition, having previously participated in 2012 and 2021, winning the title in their last appearance. Espérance Tunis is participating in their fifth FIFA Club World Cup. The winner of this match will face Bayern Munich in the round of 16.

A First Encounter

This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between Chelsea and Espérance Tunis. Chelsea has never previously faced a Tunisian side, while Espérance Tunis has never faced a European team in the Club World Cup.

The Climate

The match will be played in Philadelphia, where a severe heatwave is expected. This may force adjustments to the tempo of the game and lead to more substitutions due to heat fatigue. Chelsea had to cut short a training session due to the extreme temperatures.