The disaster that Man City experienced against Al Hilal in the 1/8 round of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in Orlando still reverberates, at the same time turning Chelsea into the only hope of the Premier League.

With Man City and Inter Milan both eliminated, Chelsea is predicted by the Opta Supercomputer as the team with the highest chance of winning the 2025 Club World Cup.

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Chelsea have many attacking solutions. Photo: CFC

However, before thinking about the podium, Chelsea must solve a difficult problem in Philadelphia: overcome their opponent Palmeiras.

Chelsea are not just fighting for themselves. Enzo Maresca and his team, with the addition of Joao Pedro, are on a mission to save the Premier League's reputation.

The Premier League was the most successful European league last season. In addition to topping the points table to secure Champions League spots, English teams also won the Europa League (Tottenham) and the Conference League (Chelsea).

Now, if “The Blues” lose to Palmeiras, English teams will be officially eliminated from the game when the tournament is still far from the end.

That would be a crushing defeat, as these representatives invested heavily financially in hopes of winning the $1 billion prize pool tournament.

Maresca's Chelsea play explosive attacking football . Meanwhile, Palmeiras are more pragmatic, but still know how to make lightning-fast transitions.

Leading Palmeiras is Abel Ferreira, who is not well known in Europe, but is dubbed "The Special One" by the Brazilian media.

This is because Abel Ferreira idolizes Jose Mourinho, builds a strategy with high defensive efficiency (3 clean sheets; only conceded a goal against Inter Miami) and is full of fighting spirit.

Abel Ferreira arrived at Palmeiras in 2020 and had great success: 2 consecutive Copa Libertadores (2020, 2021), 2 consecutive Brazilian championships (2022, 2023), and 6 other titles.

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Palmeiras has a strong playing style thanks to good physical strength. Photo: Imago

Abel Ferreira’s career has been dominated by youth development, with the development of many talents nurtured by Palmeiras, including Estevao, who will play for Chelsea after the 2025 Club World Cup.

If Abel Ferreira idolizes Mourinho, Enzo Maresca is influenced by Pep Guardiola (during his time as assistant at Man City in the 2022/23 season), representing the opposite school of football - modern, liberal style.

Maresca built a disjointed and disjointed Chelsea into a winning team. With each match, “The Blues” became more confident in the style of play they pursued.

Two different schools, young stars with ambition and well-prepared physique, the clash between Palmeiras and Chelsea will stir up Philadelphia.

Force:

Palmeiras: Murilo, Bruno Rodrigues, Figueired injured; Gustavo Gomez and Joaquin Piquerez are suspended.

Chelsea: Wesley Fofana, Omari Kellyman injured; Jackson suspended.

Expected lineup:

Palmeiras (4-3-3): Weverton; Mayke, Giay, Bruno Fuchs, Vanderlan; Rios, Martinez, Mauricio; Allan, Vitor Roque, Estevao.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Robert Sanchez; James, Colwill, Badiashile, Cucurella; Enzo Fernandez, Lavia, Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Delap, Cole Palmer.

Match odds: Chelsea handicap 1/2

Goal Odds: 2 1/4

Prediction: Chelsea win 3-2 .

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-bong-da-palmeiras-vs-chelsea-tu-ket-fifa-club-world-cup-2418222.html