The Matchday 3 clash in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup between Esperance (Tunisia) and Chelsea (England) will take place on June 25 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, USA. Esperance vs. Chelsea: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Esperance
Maher Kanzari's side began the tournament with a 0-2 defeat against Flamengo. However, they bounced back in the second round with a 1-0 victory over Los Angeles. As a result, the team now has a chance to advance to the Round of 16 in the Club World Cup, but to do so, the Tunisians must defeat the English side in their final group stage match. Notably, this is only Esperance's second win in regulation time out of eight matches they have played in the Club World Cup (1 draw and 6 losses).
- The club has not lost in regulation time in 9 of their last 12 games in the CAF Champions League and Club World Cup (7 wins and 2 draws).
- At least one team failed to score in regulation time in 9 of Esperance's last 11 matches in the CAF Champions League and Club World Cup.
- No more than two goals were scored in regulation time in 7 of the last 9 matches for the Tunisians in the CAF Champions League and Club World Cup.
Predicted lineup for Esperance (4-3-3)
Bechir Ben Said – Mohamed Amin Ben Hamida, Mohamed Tougaï, Yassine Meriah, Mohamed Ben Ali – Onuche Ogbelu, Khalil Benachour, Youssef Belaïli – Abdramane Konaté, Rodrigo Rodrigues Silva, Elias Mokwana.
Midfielder Youssef Belaïli will miss the match due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Chelsea
The Londoners started the 2025 Club World Cup confidently, defeating Los Angeles 2-0. However, in the battle for the top spot in the group, they faltered, losing 1-3 to Flamengo. Additionally, the team lost their center forward Nicolas Jackson due to a red card. This defeat marked Chelsea's second in regulation time out of six matches in this tournament (the other matches resulted in victories). Enzo Maresca's side can no longer finish first, but they will retain second place in the group if they avoid defeat in the final round.
- A maximum of three goals were scored in regulation time in 11 of Chelsea's last 12 games in the UEFA Champions League and Club World Cup.
- At least one team failed to score in regulation time in 5 of Chelsea's last 6 matches in these tournaments.
- Chelsea's uncompromising streak in regulation time in the UEFA Champions League and Club World Cup stands at 10 matches (6 wins and 4 losses).
Predicted lineup for Chelsea (4-2-1-3)
Robert Sánchez – Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, Marc Cucurella – Reece James, Moisés Caicedo – Enzo Fernández – Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Liam Delap.
Forward Nicolas Jackson will miss the match due to suspension.
Referee
Yael Falcón (Algeria)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2025);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 29;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 14%.
Match Prediction: Esperance vs. Chelsea
This is a crucial encounter in Group D, where the second ticket to the Round of 16 in the Club World Cup will be decided. The English side is considered the favorite, but I believe the North African team might not lose, or they might only lose by a narrow margin. After all, a spot in the next round of the tournament is at stake, and the Tunisians will put in every effort to achieve a result. The English will not attack recklessly, as they could concede a counterattack, making it difficult to break through Esperance's defense, which has conceded only two goals in two games.
The Londoners have played six matches in the Club World Cup, but they have only won by two or more goals twice. In their last eight games in the UEFA Champions League and Club World Cup, the English have only two wins by more than one goal. Esperance is very strong defensively and rarely concedes many goals at the official level – in their last 22 games in the CAF Champions League and Club World Cup, they have only one defeat by two or more goals. Additionally, the North Africans have played eight matches in this tournament, with only two losses by more than one goal.
My prediction: Esperance with a handicap (+1.5)
