FIFA Club World Cup: Group D Tips
The revamped Club World Cup takes centre stage this summer and Group D gets underway on Monday. Chelsea start their campaign with a contest against Los Angeles FC, while Flamengo and ES Tunis meet in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Tip 1 – Chelsea & over 3.5 goals v Los Angeles FC @ 8/5
Chelsea get their Club World Cup campaign up and running with a clash against Los Angeles FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
LAFC will have home advantage to some extent, given the contest is taking place in the US, but Chelsea look to hold all of the aces.
The Blues have happy memories of the Club World Cup, having lifted the trophy in 2021, and Enzo Maresca’s men are on a high after winning the Conference League last month.
The west Londoners also qualified for next season’s Champions League on the final day of the Premier League season and the Blues appear to be heading in the right direction.
Chelsea head into the Club World Cup as 11/1 shots in the outright market, while Los Angeles are 80/1 chances and that looks a fair representation of the gap between the two teams.
LAFC have won only five of their last 14 MLS matches, and while the Black and Gold are firmly in the playoff hunt, the forward-thinking approach of Steve Cherundolo’s men could be their undoing stepping up against a top-level team.
The Black and Gold have scored 30 goals in 16 Western Conference matches, but they have allowed 23 at the other end and it’s hard to see how the LAFC defence can hold up against a strong Chelsea attack.
Taking the Blues to win and over 3.5 goals in the match looks the best way to play it at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Tip 2 – Flamengo to win to nil v ES Tunis @ 41/50
Flamengo are an interesting proposition under young boss Filipe Luis and the Brazilians will be targeting a spot in the knockout rounds of the Club World Cup.
The Scarlet and Blacks have moved to the top of the Brazilian Serie A table after a run of just one defeat in 11 league games.
Flamengo have also progressed to the knockout stage of the Copa Libertadores and the Rio de Janeiro side have a talented squad.
Pedro is a good option in attack, while Wesley is an impressive young full-back. An injury to midfielder Nicolas de la Cruz is a dent to the Brazilians, but Jorginho’s arrival from Arsenal softens that blow.
ES Tunis are the dominant force in Tunisian football, claiming 34 top-flight titles. The Smiling One captured the domestic treble this season, but there is a huge gulf in class between Maher Kanzari’s men and Flamengo.
Backing the Scarlet and Blacks to win to nil looks the best way to go.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation