Down to the final eight from the expanded 32-team field, Chelsea face Brazilian giants Palmeiras in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in Philadelphia on Friday.
Not only is a prestigious spot in the semifinals on the line, but the gargantuan $21 million prize money payout that comes along with it is, as well.
In one of the weirder twists of this quirk-filled summer tournament, the Blues will have one of their new signings on both sides of the pitch. Not only will recent addition Joao Pedro be on hand to potentially make his debut, but imminent addition Estevao will also be on the opposition side ahead of his coming transfer.
Palmeiras, meanwhile, are one of three non-European clubs remaining in the competition, alongside fellow Brazilian club Fluminense and Saudi side Al Hilal. Of those three, Palmeiras are the only one to not have knocked off a European opponent, as Fluminense upset Inter Milan in the Round of 16, while Al Hilal stunned Man City.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
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Palmeiras vs. Chelsea predicted lineups, team news
Palmeiras will be without captain Gustavo Gomez, who was sent off late in the win over Botafogo for a second yellow card and suspended for this match. Replacing him is likely to be either Bruno Fuchs or Micael, both of whom have seen the field at this Club World Cup previously.
One player who will be taking the field is young winger Estevao, who signed for Chelsea over a year ago but has yet to officially make the move. He couldn’t legally join the Premier League club until turning 18, which he did back in April. According to the terms of their deal, he will join Chelsea as soon as Palmeiras are eliminated from the Club World Cup, meaning his last game for the Brazilian side could be this very match against his future employers.
Anibal Moreno suffered a thigh injury in their 2-0 win over Al Ahly and has not returned, with Emiliano Martinez and Lucas Evangelista sharing the deep midfield role in his absence. Winger Bruno Rodrigues has a knee problem and has not appeared all season, while 19-year-old midfielder Figueiredo is out for the year with a torn ACL.
Palmeiras predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Weverton (GK) — Glay, Gomez, Murilo, Piquerez — Rios, Veiga, Lucas — Estevao, Lopez, Torres.
Injured: Moreno (thigh, doubt), Rodrigues (knee), Figueiredo (ACL).
Suspended: Gomez (red card).
Full Palmeiras squad
Goalkeepers: Marcelo Lomba, Mateus, Weverton.
Defenders: Benedetti, Bruno Fuchs, Agustin Giay, Gustavo Gomez, Mayke, Micael, Murilo, Naves, Joaquin Piquerez, Marcos Rocha, Vanderlan.
Midfielders: Allan, Felipe Anderson, Lucas Evangelista, Emiliano Martinez, Anibal Moreno, Richard Rios, Raphael Veiga.
Forwards: Estevao, Luighi, Jose Manuel Lopez, Mauricio, Paulinho, Vitor Roque, Thalys, Facundo Torres.
Nicolas Jackson will return from his two-match red card suspension, and it’s likely he will take over for Liam Delap up front despite the new signing’s positive play through Jackson’s absence. Additionally, new signing Joao Pedro was registered in time to possibly make his debut for the club here and has linked up with the squad to potentially play a part.
However, Enzo Maresca has some other absences to contend with. Moises Caicedo will be suspended for yellow card accumulation, leaving a hole in midfield. One option to fill the void is moving Reece James over from right-back to play in midfield, or Enzo Fernandez could be dropped deeper while Cole Palmer returns to his more central position. Given Palmer’s effective link-up with Marc Cucurella down the left, the former option is the more likely.
Noni Madueke did not see the field against Benfica, and while rumours swirl of a potential summer transfer, he’s unlikely to be risked unless Chelsea become desperate for attacking injection off the bench.
The only Chelsea absences are Omari Kellyman and Wesley Fofana who not with the group as they recover from long-term injuries. James, Palmer, Delap, Cucurella, and Pedro Neto would all be suspended for the semifinals should they pick up a booking here and Chelsea go through.
MORE: Recapping Chelsea’s wild, never-ending Club World Cup match against Benfica
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — Gusto, Colwill, Badiashile, Cucurella — Lavia, James — Neto, E. Fernandez, Palmer — Jackson.
Injured: W. Fofana (muscle), Kellyman (hamstring).
Suspended: Caicedo (yellow cards).
On a yellow card: James, Adarabioyo, Cucurella, Neto, Delap, Palmer.
Full Chelsea squad
Goalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Robert Sanchez, Gaga Slonina.
Defenders: Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Mamadou Sarr.
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos.
Forwards: Liam Delap, Marc Guiu, Tyrique George, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro.
Palmeiras vs. Chelsea score prediction
This should be a fantastic battle between two talented teams, but unfortunately the team news significantly favours Chelsea, and in a game of such thin margins for Palmeiras, that doesn’t bode well.
While the Blues are adding players to the already talented squad, Palmeiras will be without their leader at the back, along with the injuries they’ve suffered at this tournament.
It will be tough sledding for the Chelsea attack, and a goal or two against the run of play would go a long way, but the Blues were dominant against Benfica and should manage to maintain that superiority here, as well, booking a spot in the semifinals.
Prediction: Palmeiras 0-2 Chelsea
How to watch Palmeiras vs. Chelsea: Live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Club World Cup quarterfinal match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Fri, Jul. 4 | 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT | truTV | Sling, DAZN |
| Canada | Fri, Jul. 4 | 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT | — | DAZN |
| UK | Sat, Jul. 5 | 2 a.m. BST | Channel 5 | DAZN |
| Australia | Sat, Jul. 5 | 1 p.m. AEST | — | DAZN, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now |
| India | Sat, Jul. 5 | 6:30 a.m. IST | — | DAZN, tabii |
