Club World Cup - Group Stage

Esperance Tunis vs Chelsea

Lincoln Financial Field

June 25,2025 at 2am UK

Match preview

Tunis opened their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Flamengo on 17 June, but bounced back impressively last time, recording a 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC.

Third in Group D with three points, the Red and Yellows are level with Chelsea and would advance to the round of 16 with a victory over the Premier League team on Tuesday.

However, a draw would not be enough, as Chelsea have the superior goal difference.

Maher Kanzari's team qualified for the Club World Cup as the highest-ranked eligible team in the CAF four-year rankings. They are in the final of the competition for the fourth time, having previously competed in 2011, 2018 and 2019.

Tunis have only lost once in all competitions since the start of April — the two-goal defeat to Flamengo — and will enter this game feeling confident due to their success against LAFC.

Meanwhile, Chelsea opened their tournament with a straightforward 2-0 win over LAFC. They then took a 1-0 lead against Flamengo on 20 June in their second match of the competition.

However, Flamengo turned the game around to win 3-1, with Chelsea having Nicolas Jackson sent off in a disappointing second half. Therefore, Enzo Maresca's side have work to do to advance to the round of 16.

As mentioned, the Blues are in second place due to their superior goal difference, so a win or draw on Tuesday would see them through to the next round.

However, a second defeat in as many matches would see them eliminated, and serious questions would be asked if the English side did not advance to the next stage.

Chelsea qualified for the competition as winners of the 2020–21 Champions League. This is their third time playing in the finals, having previously competed in 2012 and 2021. The London club were champions the last time they participated.

Recent Performance

ES Tunis Club World Cup form:LW

Chelsea Club World Cup form:WL

Team News

ES Tunis could name an unchanged side from the one that secured victory over LAFC last time.

Youcef Belaili is one of the team's standout players and the 33-year-old is set to feature in attack once again, while Rodrigo Rodrigues is expected to start in the centre.

Elias Mokiana is another player who will pose a threat to Chelsea, and the 25-year-old is set to start in a wide position. Yassine Meriah will also start in the centre of the ES Tunis defence.

Chelsea will be without Jackson, who was sent off against Flamengo last time.

The Blues will otherwise have the same squad available as for the clash with Flamengo, with Liam Delap expected to start in the middle once again.

Reece James could move back to right-back from midfield, which would allow Noni Madueke to join the starting XI in the final third.

Possible starting lineup

ES Tunis possible starting lineup:

Ben Said; Ben Ali, Tougai, Meriah, Ben Hamida; Mokwana, Guenichi, Ogbelu, Konate; Belaili; Rodrigo

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Delap