Chelsea vs LAFC Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025 FIFA Club World Cup | Group Stage

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Chelsea are 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League winners and will want to add another trophy to the cabinet as they face the play-in winners Los Angeles FC in their opener.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV & online: UK – DAZN & Channel 5 / US – DAZN

Chelsea team news: Santos could make debut

On the back of a brilliant loan season at Strasbourg, Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos could make his first appearance in a Chelsea shirt here. Another potential debutant is new signing Liam Delap, although it would be a surprise if the striker was to feature from the start. Defender Wes Fofana will miss the competition through injury.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson

Unavailable: Fofana (Injured)

Questionable: 

LAFC team news: Giroud could start against former club

There is plenty of big-name French representation among the LAFC squad in the form of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and striker Olivier Giroud. The latter isn't certain to start though, with plenty of competition in attack. One player certain to be in the line-up, is the dangerous Denis Bouanga.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Lloris; Palencia, Long, Segura, Hollingshead; Tillman, Jesus, Delgado; Martinez, Giroud, Bouanga 

Unavailable: 

Questionable: 

Key stats

• Champions of England on six occasions, Chelsea have won nine European trophies, including the UEFA Champions League twice. Their most recent success in 2021 earned them a place in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
• In Chelsea’s successful UEFA Champions League campaign in 2020/21 they boasted an impressive defensive record of only four goals conceded in 13 matches.
• Chelsea’s most recent European honour was achieved in May 2025 when they came from behind to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final. In doing so they became the first team to win all five of UEFA’s major club football trophies; Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup and the defunct Cup Winners' Cup.
• Chelsea defeated Mexican team Club America 3-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in a pre-season friendly on 31 July 2024.
• Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández was in the Argentina side that defeated a France team containing Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud (now at LAFC) 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
• LAFC were the last team to book their ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, earning the 32nd spot courtesy of a dramatic extra-time goal from Denis Bouanga in a thrilling comeback victory against Club América in the Play-In match on 31 May 2025.
• MLS Cup champions in 2022 and Supporters’ Shield winners on two occasions, the Black and Gold have been runners-up in the Concacaf Champions League/Cup twice; in 2020 they lost out 2-1 in a one-off match against Tigres and in 2023 they were defeated 3-1 on aggregate by Club León.
• Among LAFC squad members are two winners of the FIFA Club World Cup™, with Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud both having won the global showpiece with France in 2018, the former lifting the trophy as captain.
• LAFC striker Olivier Giroud played for Chelsea from January 2018 to June 2021, scoring 39 goals in 119 appearances. He was the competition top scorer in the club’s 2018/19 UEFA Europa League triumph, with 11 goals, the last of those coming in the final, a 4-1 win against his former club Arsenal, where he played from 2012-18. He was an unused substitute when Chelsea won the 2021 UEFA Champions League final against Manchester City.
• LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had 12 seasons at Chelsea’s London rivals Tottenham, where he was the club captain from 2015-23. Lloris was in goal when Tottenham lost the 2014/15 English League Cup final 2-0 to Chelsea.
• LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo played for the USA against England at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the teams drawing 1-1 in their opening group game in Rustenburg.
• LAFC have 17 different nationalities within their roster of 31 players – more than any other team.

Chelsea vs LAFC prediction

Enzo Maresca has not had the best relationship with Chelsea supporters this season but the Blues did eventually finish in the top five, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, whilst also becoming the first team to ever win every single UEFA competition – now they will want to properly complete the set with the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup.

They take on an LAFC side that, coached by Steve Cherundolo, overcame Liga MX giants Club America to reach the competition, following Club Leon being removed from the tournament. That victory extended their unbeaten run of form to nine matches across all competitions, playing an entertaining style of football along the way.

LAFC, as mentioned, play attacking football, but that may well suit a more deliberate Chelsea side that will seek to punish spaces left behind in what may well be a fun watch for the neutral.

Chelsea vs LAFC tip: Chelsea to win & over 2.5 goals