Esperance vs Chelsea: African Grit or Premier League Might in Group D’s Decider?

Esperance vs Chelsea: African Grit or Premier League Might in Group D’s Decider?

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is at a crucial juncture as Esperance Sportive de Tunis faces Chelsea in a must-win Group D clash on Wednesday, June 25, at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.

With progression on the line, Chelsea need only a draw to reach the Round of 16, while Esperance, riding momentum, must secure victory to leapfrog their opponents and stay alive.

Esperance Players Celebrating Goal

🔴 Esperance Attempt One Last Hail Mary | Home Win = 11.74💵

Tunisia’s champions responded to a 2‑0 loss to Flamengo by rebounding with a 1‑0 win over LAFC, demonstrating their defensive solidity and mental fortitude under coach Maher Kanzari.

Despite missing key striker Youcef Belaili to suspension, their form since April—just one defeat—is a foundation they hope to build on coming into this crucial encounter.

Chelsea players celebrate their goal against Flamengo

⚪ Chelsea Look to Close Qualification | Away Draw = 1.28💵

The Blues began with a 2‑0 victory over LAFC but stumbled 3‑1 against Flamengo, leaving qualification hanging by a thread.

Without suspended forward Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap is expected to spearhead the attack alongside Pedro Neto, with manager Enzo Maresca signalling intent to “give it our best”.

Esperance Players Celebrating a Goal

🗝️ Key Players & Team News 📰

• Esperance: Typically retains the same line-up after beating LAFC. Expect attacking threats from Elias Mokwana and Rodrigo Rodrigues, albeit missing Belaili.

• Chelsea: Play without Jackson. Neto remains in form, while Delap is set to start. Tactical tweaks expected—Reece James could return at right-back to accommodate Noni Madueke.

Chelsea players celebrate their goal against Flamengo

🔢 Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 6.02💵

• ES Tunis have lost only once since April, winning three of four matches, showing rising form. | Specials Market: Over & GG/NG (Over 2.5 & Yes) = 2.60

• Chelsea can progress with a draw due to superior goal difference—two defeats would spark serious questions. | Specials Market: 1x2 & O/U (Away & Over 2.5) = 1.81

Esperance Fans Celebrating a Goal

📊 Team Form & Predicted Line‑ups 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

📈 Esperance de Tunis (D W W W L W):

Probable XI:  Ben Said; Ben Ali, Tougai, Meriah, Ben Hamida; Mokwana, Guenichi, Ogbelu, Konate; Belaili (suspended), Rodrigues.

📈 Chelsea (W L W W L W):

Probable XI:  Sánchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; James, Caicedo, Fernández; Neto, Palmer, Delap.

Esperance vs Chelsea - 2025 FIFA CWC

This encounter is a high-stakes showdown. Esperance bring African discipline and recent upswing, while Chelsea have the depth and urgency to silence critics.

Expect tactical tension, key battles on the wings, and one moment to decide it all.



 

🔗 You can check out the ES Tunis vs Chelsea game here on MSport.

 

#FIFACWC #ClubWorldCup #Esperance #Chelsea #ESTunis #EnzoMaresca #MaherKanzari #MSport #2025FIFACWC

 

Real Madrid vs Al Hilal: Can Xabi Alonso Start with a Bang as Madrid Chase CWC No.6 Against Goal-Hungry Saudi Giants?

Real Madrid vs Al Hilal: Can Xabi Alonso Start with a Bang as Madrid Chase CWC No.6 Against Goal-Hungry Saudi Giants?

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup continues with a sizzling Group H showdown as Real Madrid lock horns with Al Hilal on Wednesday night at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.

This clash marks the official debut of new managers Xabi Alonso and Simone Inzaghi, both appointed after dramatic season endings in Europe and Asia, respectively.

⚪ Real Madrid Kick Off Alonso Era with Title Intent | Home Win = 1.33💵

Real Madrid lifting one of their 5 FIFA Club World Cup titles

Real Madrid enter the tournament with a point to prove after a 2024–25 campaign that, despite silverware in the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup, ended in disappointment on the domestic front.

After losing out to Barcelona in La Liga, the Copa del Rey final and the Spanish Super Cup, Carlo Ancelotti stepped down to take charge of Brazil, paving the way for club legend Xabi Alonso’s return.

Xabi Alonso, new Real Madrid manager, with Florentino Perez, Real Madrid President

Alonso, who lifted La Liga and the Champions League as a Madrid player, has the chance to claim his first trophy as coach before his full debut season begins.

New signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen are expected to feature immediately, with as Real Madrid try to be the first club to lift this new version of the FIFA Club World Cup they’ve lifted more than any team as a farewell to club legends Luka Modric and Lucas Vasquez.

🔵 Al Hilal Boast Firepower but Face Steep Test | Away Win = 8.68💵

Al Hila players rocking their new kit

Al Hilal enter under fresh leadership themselves, with Simone Inzaghi taking over days after a heavy 5-0 Champions League final loss to PSG with Inter Milan.

The Italian, who replaces Jorge Jesus, is tasked with steering Saudi Arabia’s highest-scoring club through a tough Group H featuring Madrid, Pachuca, and Salzburg.

Al Hila players celebrate a team goal

Al Hilal may be underdogs but arrive with serious attacking credentials—scoring 95 goals in 34 league games and finishing as the Saudi Pro League’s top scorers.

Inzaghi, who will implement his preferred 3-5-2 system, has enough quality in the squad to trouble even a reshuffled Real Madrid team with renewed ambition.

🗝️ Key Players & Team News 📰:

The last meeting between the two sides

• Real Madrid: Dani Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga, and Mendy are all in the squad but unlikely to feature. Rudiger is a doubt, while Endrick is out. Alexander-Arnold and Huijsen should debut.

• Al Hilal: Inzaghi expected to go 3-5-2 with Bono in goal, Koulibaly marshalling the backline, and Mitrovic leading the attack. Cancelo faces a late fitness test after missing the end of the domestic season.

Image from the last Real Madrid vs Al Hilal clash

🔢 Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 6.14💵

• Real Madrid are five-time winners of the CWC, the most in the history of the competition & beat Al Hilal 5-3 the last time they two met. | Specials Market: 1x2 & GG/NG (Home & Yes) = 2.46.

• Al Hilal are unbeaten in all their last 5 games in all comps, scoring 16 goals in that time and conceding 7.| Specials Market: O/U & GG/NG (Over 2.5 & Yes) = 1.88.

Image from the last Real Madrid vs Al Hilal clash

📊Team Form & Predicted Line-ups🧑‍🤝‍🧑:

📈Real Madrid (L W L W W W):

Possible XI: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius, Mbappe.

📈Al Hilal (L W W W D W):

Possible XI: Bono; Tambakti, Koulibaly, Al-Bulayhi; Cancelo, Kanno, Neves, Milinkovic-Savic, S. Al-Dawsari; Malcolm, Mitrovic.

João Cancelo training with Al Hilal ahead of the Real Madrid game

This high-octane opener pits a reinvented Real Madrid against a dangerous, high-scoring Al Hilal side. Expect a fiery tactical duel, defensive gaps, and potential fireworks in Florida.

TAA in the new Real Madrid kit ahead of his first game for the club
Huijsen in the new Real Madrid kit ahead of his first game for the club
Real Madrid FIFA CWC Banner

🔗 You can check out & follow the 2025 FIFA CWC game, Real Madrid vs Al Hilal, here on MSport.

 

#FIFACWC #ClubWorldCup #RealMadrid #AlHilal #XabiAlonso #Inzaghi #Mbappe #Mitrovic #MSport #2025FIFACWC #FIFAClubWorldCup

 

© 2025 MSport. All Rights Reserved