Palmeiras vs Chelsea: Estevao the Future or Pedro Neto the Fire — Who Reaches the Semi-Finals?

It’s a rematch three years in the making. Palmeiras vs Chelsea, again on the Club World Cup stage. In 2022, it took 117 minutes and a Kai Havertz penalty to decide the final. Now, everything’s changed, except the hunger.

Chelsea come into this quarter-final after a wild extra-time win over Benfica. Palmeiras got here after beating Brazilian rivals Botafogo in a tight, tough game. Two strong teams. One spot in the semi-final. Let’s get into it. 

📊Head-to-head: Palmeiras (0 wins), Chelsea (1 win), Draws (0) 

📊 Palmeiras are unbeaten in this tournament 

📊 Chelsea have won 11 of their last 13 games 

📊Pedro Neto has scored 3 goals and has the best player rating (8.27) in the tournament. 

📊 Palmeiras have kept clean sheets in 3 out of 4 Club World cup games 

 Palmeiras have had a strong tournament. They started with a draw against Porto. Then they beat Al Ahly and played a close match with Inter Miami. In the last round, they needed extra time to beat Botafogo 1-0. Their defence has been strong and their attacking players are dangerous when they find space. Coach Abel Ferreira is still leading the team. He was also the coach during the 2022 final. Many players from that squad are no longer in the team, but the belief remains high. Estevão Willian, who will join Chelsea soon, is looking sharp and confident. Chelsea are coming off a 4-1 extra-time win over Benfica. The match was full of delays and drama. Chelsea scored three goals in extra time through Nkunku, Neto and Dewsbury-Hall. Before that, they beat Esperance 3-0 and lost to Flamengo in the group stage. Coach Enzo Maresca has trusted young players. Delap is getting regular minutes. Neto has been their standout forward. The midfield, with Caicedo, Enzo and Lavia, is starting to connect better. New signing Joao Pedro is also with the squad and available for selection. 

Palmeiras (4-3-3) 🟢: Weverton; Mayke, Giay, Bruno Fuchs, Vanderlan; Rios, Martinez, Mauricio; Allan, Vitor Roque, Estevao 

 Chelsea (4-2-3-1) 🔵: Sanchez; James, Colwill, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo, Lavia; Neto, Delap, Palmer 

🔹 Estevao against Cucurella: A young talent facing an experienced full-back 

 🔹 Pedro Neto’s run of goals: He has scored in every game he has played so far 

 🔹 Chelsea’s midfield shape: Enzo, Lavia and Caicedo will be tested by Palmeiras’ press led by Richard Rios 

 🔹 Set pieces: Both teams have used corners and free-kicks well 

 🔹 Energy in extra time: Both clubs have already gone the distance once