FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Esperance Tunis vs Chelsea

Date: Wednesday 25th June, 2025
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Kick-off Time: 02:00

It’s all on the line this Wednesday, June 25, as Espérance Tunis takes on Chelsea at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. With both teams locked on three points and only one group-stage match remaining, this showdown essentially acts as a decider for second place in Group D. Chelsea currently hold the edge in the standings, but a loss here could knock them out of the tournament entirely, making this a high-stakes, do-or-die encounter for both sides.

Esperance Tunis – The Tunisian Champions

Espérance Tunis began their Club World Cup journey with a 2–0 loss to Flamengo on June 17, but they bounced back well, earning a hard-fought 1–0 win over Los Angeles FC in their second outing. That result has pulled them level on points with Chelsea heading into a decisive third-round clash that will determine who advances to the last 16.

A draw won’t be enough for the Tunisian side,  Chelsea’s superior goal difference means only a win will do. Espérance, known for their experience on the international stage, impressed in their last match with disciplined organization and sharp transitions from defence to attack qualities that helped them edge past LAFC. Head coach Maher Kanzari will be counting on more of the same against Chelsea.

Still, they know what they’re up against. Facing a Premier League side brings a different level of intensity and quality, and they’ll need to raise their game significantly to keep their Club World Cup hopes alive.

 

Chelsea–  The English Giants

Chelsea’s momentum, built on four consecutive wins spanning the Premier League, Conference League Final, and their Club World Cup opener, came to a halt with a 3–1 defeat to Flamengo. They started strong, putting in a well-structured and energetic first half, neutralizing the Brazilian side and taking a 1–0 lead into the break. But the second half told a different story, as goals from Bruno Henrique, Danilo, and Wallace Yan flipped the game on its head.

Adding to their frustration, Nicolas Jackson was sent off, meaning he’ll miss the crucial clash against Espérance Tunis. Manager Enzo Maresca will be hoping that the Flamengo loss was just a blip. If Chelsea are to secure a spot in the knockout round, they’ll need to recapture the sharpness and control that saw them win eight of their previous ten matches since late April.

Head-to-Head

This marks the first-ever clash between Espérance Tunis and Chelsea, and notably, it’s also the first time either club has faced a team from the other’s continent, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to the fixture. While Chelsea clearly have the edge in terms of team’s quality, the pressure is still on. They need at least a draw to stay alive, and with so much at stake, fans will be expecting them to come out with intent from the opening whistle in Philadelphia.

Possible Lineup:

Esperance Tunis: Ben Said; Ben Ali, Tougai, Meriah, Ben Hamida; Mokwana, Guenichi, Ogbelu, Konate; Belaili; Rodrigo

Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Delap

Key Players to Watch:

• Esperance Tunis: Ben Said, Youcef Belaili, Rodrigo Rodrigues, Elias Mokwana
• Chelsea: Pedro Neto, Liam Delap, Noni Madueke

Where to Watch:

The match will be available live on SuperSport, FIFA+, and select local broadcasters depending on your region. 

Global Streaming & Cable

• DAZN — DAZN will stream all matches for free, and it will be available in all countries. To access the FIFA Club World Cup match for free, just download the free DAZN app from your normal app store on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device.
• TNT Sports / TBS / truTV (U.S.)
• FIFA+ — free global streaming via FIFA’s platform

GoalBangWays Prediction Insight:

Despite both teams sitting on three points, Chelsea go into the match with the upper hand due to their superior goal difference. That means a draw is enough for the English side to go through, while Esperance Tunis must win.

Other Interesting Predictions

Given the high stakes, expect a match filled with twists, turns, and goals on both sides.  A 2–1 win for Chelsea feels like a strong prediction.