Palmeiras vs Chelsea Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | FIFA Club World Cup

Palmeiras vs Chelsea Preview

• Tournament: FIFA Club World Cup
• Date: Saturday, 5 July 2025
• Kick-Off Time: 1 AM GMT
• Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

Premier League heavyweights Chelsea look to maintain their charge towards the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup when they face a resilient Palmeiras side in what should be an intriguing quarterfinal on Friday night. The Palmeiras vs Chelsea clash will be the second quarterfinal of the tournament and the last game at the Lincoln Financial Field. Here is our Palmeiras vs Chelsea Preview.

Palmeiras have represented Brazilian football in a shining light at the 2025 Club World Cup, ousting the odds to reach the final eight. They finished on top of their group with five points from three games, before defeating Botafogo in the Round of 16 in extra time. They've kept three clean sheets in four games, having the joint-best defensive record with two goals conceded.

Abel Ferreira, however, will need to shape up his side in an extra sturdy manner for them to take the fight to Chelsea. They will need to be steely defensively, maintain a strong and compact line to frustrate the Blues. They'll also need to be prolific in taking up their chances on counter-attacks to hurt their opponents and pop a surprise.

Chelsea might not be undefeated at the Club World Cup, but they've fought their way to the quarter-finals. They finished as runners-up in their group with six points, before picking up a dramatic 4-1 win over Benfica in the quarter-finals by defeating the Portuguese side in extra time to book a place at the quarterfinals.

Enzo Maresca has to unleash the ruthless best of his Chelsea side for them to torment this stubborn Palmeiras side. He will need his side to be defensively more compact, but will prioritize their fluid attacking movement, and for the players to be more prolific in putting away big chances to move ahead to the semifinals.

Palmeiras Team News

Abel Ferreira will be missing multiple players because of suspensions. His defenders Joaquin Piquerez and Gustavo Gomez are both suspended for this game. Paulinho, who scored the winner in the last game, is doubtful because of a shin injury. The likes of Bruno Rodrigues, Figueiredo (knee) and Murilo Cerqueira (thigh) are also unavilable due to injury issues.

Chelsea Team News

Enzo Maresca is at least fortunate enough that none of his players are suspended for this game. However, he will be missing defenders Benoit Badiashile (leg) and Wesley Fofana (muscle) as well as midfielder Omari Kellyman (hamstring) because of injury trouble.

Palmeiras vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups

Here we look at our Palmeiras vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups.

Palmeiras Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Weverton

Defenders: Agustin Gray, Micael, Bruno Fuchs, Mayke

Midfielders: Emiliano Martinez, Richard Rios, Mauricio

Forwards: Estevao Willian, Allan, Vitor Roque

Chelsea Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez

Defenders: Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella

Midfielders: Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez

Forwardas: Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson

Palmeiras vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record

These two teams have only faced each other once in their past, which Chelsea won. That was back in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final. On that occasion, Chelsea came out as the winners with a 2-1 win in extra time.

Key Players to Watch in Palmeiras vs Chelsea

Estevao Willian (Palmeiras)

Estevao is poised to join Chelsea after the Club World Cup, but he's eligible to face the Blues in this upcoming clash. The 18-year-old has had a shaky Club World Cup so far, failing to score or assist a goal and only averaging 0.2 key passes per 90. However, the Brazilian youngster is an unpredictable livewire when he gets going.

He will look to torment his parent club by showing off his explosiveness in the attack, dribbling past players into key areas. However, he needs to be more prolific with his final passes or shots on goal to trouble Chelsea and inspire Palmeiras to a win.

Pedro Neto (Chelsea)

Pedro Neto has been an absolute livewire for the Chelsea frontline at the Club World Cup, tormenting defenders with his clever forward movement. He has scored three goals in the tournament with an impressive 43% goal conversion rate, leading from the front in the USA.

He will look to maintain his explosiveness in driving his side forward in the quick transitions and also be more accurate in setting up big chances. However, Neto will be encouraged to venture into more goal-scoring positions and put his clinical finishing skills to good use, and aid the Blues to a compelling victory.

Palmeiras vs Chelsea Prediction

Considering just how strong Palmeiras have been defensively, this will not be a walk in the park for Chelsea despite their high-scoring nature. This should be a pretty cagey affair for most of the game, but could end up becoming more open-ended and action-packed in the second half.

While Palmeiras should put up a valiant fight and could trouble the Blues on the counterattacks, Chelsea's superiority in options and forward options should give them an edge. Maresca's side should fight their way to get a narrow win. Here is our Palmeiras vs Chelsea prediction.

Predicted Score: Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea

Where to watch Palmeiras vs Chelsea Live?

Here we look at where to watch Palmeiras vs Chelsea across the globe on different platforms.