Flamengo vs Chelsea: Preview and Prediction

Flamengo and Chelsea will aim to continue their perfect starts to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaigns when they face off at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday.

The expanded FIFA Club World Cup continues this week as teams work towards progressing from the group stage. Flamengo vs Chelsea is the marquee fixture in Group D, with the two teams aiming to win their second game in as many attempts in the competition.

Flamengo qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2022 CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores. The Brazilian giants’ previous best finish in the Club World Cup was runners-up in the 2019 edition. Meanwhile, Filipe Luis’s charges began their campaign by beating ES Tunis 2-0 earlier this week.

On the other hand, Chelsea reached the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League. The Blues have previously won the tournament, clinching the 2021 title by beating Palmeiras in the final. Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca’s men began their campaign by beating LAFC 2-0 earlier this week.

Flamengo and Chelsea have never faced off before, and The Hard Tackle looks closer at the upcoming Group D encounter ahead of the first-ever meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

Flamengo

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Rossi; Varela, Ortiz, Pereira, Sandro; Pulgar, Jorginho; Gerson, De Arrascaeta, Araujo; Henrique

Chelsea

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Delap

Key Stats

• Flamengo and Chelsea will face off for the first time in a competitive match. They have met in a friendly, with that fixture taking place in the erstwhile Trofeo Gelderland, a summer pre-season tournament. The Blues registered a 5-0 win in that game.
• Chelsea have met Brazilian teams twice in the Club World Cup thus far. They lost 1-0 to Corinthians in the 2012 final and overcame Palmeiras 2-1 in the 2021 final.
• Flamengo have face English teams in competitive ties on two occasions, with both games coming against Liverpool. They registered a 3-0 win in the Intercontinental Cup in 1981 and lost 1-0 in the Club World Cup final in 2019.
• Chelsea are on a four-match winning streak in all competitions. On the other hand, Flamengo have won their five most recent games.
• Flamengo have kept clean sheets in their last four games. The Blues have three clean sheets in their four most recent games.

Player to Watch

Liam Delap

While Jorginho, Bruno Henrique, and Cole Palmer were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Liam Delap as the Player to Watch for Friday’s FIFA Club World Cup clash between Flamengo at Chelsea at the Lincoln Financial Field.

The English striker snubbed Manchester United to join Chelsea earlier this month, and he will be eager to prove himself in his debut season with the West London club. With Delap still searching for his first goal for Chelsea, he will be eager to get the monkey off his back before the weight becomes unbearable.

Prediction

Flamengo 1-1 Chelsea

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has already seen many surprise results, with Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund, among others failing to beat more unheralded opponents in their opening games. So, with Flamengo in an excellent run of form, it will not be surprising to see the Brazilian outfit holding Chelsea to a draw.

However, Enzo Maresca is getting his charges to play his way, and they will likely dominate the proceedings in Friday’s Group D clash. But troubling Agustin Rossi may be a tall order, considering Flamengo’s defensive integrity. So, The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw, with Flamengo taking the game to Chelsea.