Chelsea vs Flamengo: Club World Cup Group Stage Battle Preview

Recent Form: Flying Flamengo Meet Formidable Chelsea

Both clubs boast impressive recent records heading into this Club World Cup tie.

Flamengo are currently enjoying a sensational run of form under former Chelsea defender Filipe Luís, who has made a strong start to his managerial career. They enter this match on a five-game winning streak across all competitions and are unbeaten in their last nine matches stretching back to May. Their recent form is underpinned by defensive solidity, having kept four successive clean sheets and seven in their last eight games prior to the tournament. This excellent run sees them leading the Brasileirão domestic league table.

Chelsea also finished their 2024/25 season strongly, lifting a trophy and securing Champions League qualification. They have won nine of their last ten competitive matches, including their opening CWC victory over LAFC. Enzo Maresca’s side have also demonstrated defensive improvement, keeping three clean sheets in their last four outings.

Team News & Key Talking Points

Both managers are expected to largely stick with the teams that won their opening fixtures, though potential tactical adjustments and personnel tweaks are being discussed.

Flamengo Focus:
Brazilian giants Flamengo arrive with a squad featuring familiar names. Former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho is set to face his old club, having made an impressive debut for the South Americans with an assist in their opener after joining from Arsenal. Uruguayan attacking midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta is undoubtedly the creative heartbeat and a key player to watch, having also scored in the first match. Nicolás de la Cruz remains a doubt with an ankle injury, but former Juventus defender Alex Sandro is expected to return at left-back. Speculation exists around the right-back spot, with Wesley potentially coming in for Varela, and the main striker role, where Bruno Henrique or even Gonzalo Plata could start ahead of Pedro. Under Filipe Luís, Flamengo has shown they can be proactive and dictate the pace.

Chelsea Outlook:
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea squad is relatively healthy among the travelling party, although known absentees due to injury include Wesley Fofana and Carney Chukwuemeka, with Mykhaylo Mudryk also suspended. Midfield stalwarts Enzo Fernández and Moises Caicedo are both fit and expected to start, along with captain Reece James at the back. A key point of interest is the forward line: while Nicolas Jackson started the opener, summer signing Liam Delap made a positive impact off the bench, assisting Fernández’s goal, and could be in contention for a starting spot. Other new signings like Dário Essugo, Mamadou Sarr, Aarón Anselmino, and Andrey Santos will be hoping for minutes. Maresca could potentially look at tactical flexibility, with formations like a 3-4-3 or 5-3-2 having been mentioned as possibilities in addition to the 4-2-3-1 used previously. Pedro Neto, who scored Chelsea’s first CWC goal, will be a key player to provide attacking threat.

Predicted Lineups

While the final selections remain closely guarded, here’s a look at potential starting XIs, though various reports suggest tactical shifts are possible, particularly for Chelsea:

Tactical Outlook & Expert Insight

Expect a fascinating tactical battle. Both Flamengo and Chelsea are teams that prefer possession and look to control the tempo of the game. The midfield duel, potentially featuring key players like Jorginho, Pulgar, Caicedo, and Fernández, will be crucial. While Chelsea may enter as favourites due to their individual quality and Premier League pedigree, Flamengo’s current form, defensive resilience, and attacking flair, particularly through De Arrascaeta and Araújo, make them formidable opponents capable of being proactive and creating problems. Chelsea’s cutting edge in the final third might be the difference-maker if they can break down Flamengo’s tight defense.

Score Prediction: Who Edges This Tight Affair?

This match promises to be a high-quality encounter between two talented and well-organised sides in excellent form. While Flamengo’s defensive record is impressive, Chelsea possess significant attacking threats.

Most predictions lean towards a narrow Chelsea victory, leveraging their quality in key areas. However, given Flamengo’s superb recent run and defensive strength, a draw or even a tight win for the Brazilians is certainly within the realm of possibility.

Prediction: Flamengo 1-2 Chelsea

How to Watch Flamengo vs. Chelsea

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup matches, including this tie, are being streamed globally on DAZN. Additionally, specific regions may have local television broadcast partners: