Chelsea begin their Club World Cup campaign with a game against Los Angeles FC and the Blues will hope to get off to a winning start.
There are two English clubs involved at the Club World Cup and the first match with Premier League interest takes place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where Chelsea will lock horns with MLS outfit Los Angeles FC.
The Blues added to their trophy collection by winning the 2024-25 Conference League, although they face stiffer competition at the Club World Cup where they are one of many clubs with a realistic chance of winning the tournament.
Los Angeles are likely to have more modest targets and are far from certain to advance beyond the group stage. Here are our Club World Cup betting selections for this group stage clash.
Chelsea v Los Angeles FC Tips
Blues can bank maximum points
Chelsea delivered a strong finish to the Premier League season – winning five of their final six games – and are likely to get off to a flying start at the Club World Cup by sweeping aside Los Angeles FC.
The Blues went through a sticky patch around the turn of year and left themselves work to do in the race for Champions League qualification, however, they stepped up during the run-in and showed nerves of steel when winning 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on the final weekend of the league campaign.
Chelsea rounded things off by defeating Betis in the Conference League final and they look equipped for a bold showing at the Club World Cup, having added Liam Delap to their attacking options.
While Chelsea have been preparing for the Club World Cup for a while, Los Angeles FC were the last team to qualify.
They came through a tie ‘play-in’ match against Mexicans America – winning 2-1 after extra-time – but are facing a step up in class against powerful Premier League opposition.
Los Angeles FC will be hoping to lean on the vast experience of veterans Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud, but they will struggle to avoid making a losing start to the tournament.
Leg 1: Chelsea to win @ 30/100
Senegal striker could start the scoring
Nicolas Jackson had another solid Premier League season, scoring ten goals, and could be the man to get things started for Chelsea at the Club World Cup.
The 23-year-old should be match sharp after featuring in his country’s 3-1 friendly victory away to England and he looks overpriced to start the scoring against Los Angeles.
Leg 2: Nicolas Jackson first scorer @ 19/4
Goals could flow in lively contest
Los Angeles FC have been free-scoring in the MLS Western Conference – netting 30 goals in 16 matches – and they can find the net against Chelsea in a high-scoring encounter.
The main threat from Los Angeles is likely to come from Gabon international Denis Bouanga, who has netted eight goals in his last 10 appearances.
Bouanga’s consistent performances are keeping him in the side at the expense of former Chelsea forward Giroud, who has had to be content with a role as an impact substitute.
Chelsea will be tested by the pace of Bouanga and the physicality and nous of Giroud and may struggle to keep a clean sheet.
However, they should carry more than enough threat at the other end to make amends for any defensive lapses.
The Blues showed off their quality in the Conference League final against Betis by coming from behind to register a 4-1 victory and they could be just as devastating against Los Angeles, who are likely to be out of their depth.
Leg 3: Over 3.5 goals @ 17/10
