Chelsea’s quest for Club World Club glory begins when they face Los Angeles FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night.
Fresh from winning the Europa Conference League, Chelsea are among the bookmakers’ favourites to go all the way and win more silverware in the United States in the summer.
Drawn in Group D alongside Los Angeles FC, Flamengo and ES Tunis, it’s easy to see why Enzo Maresca’s men are considered as top contenders for the title.
After finishing as runners-up in 2012, Chelsea went one better and won the Club World Cup back in 2022, courtesy of a 2-1 extra-time victory over Brazilian giants Palmeiras.
As for LAFC, they were late additions to the guest list after getting past Mexican outfit Club America in a play-off tie at the beginning of the month.
Steve Cherundolo’s side will enter the competition with plenty of momentum behind them after extending their unbeaten run in MLS to nine matches with a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City last weekend.
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How the bookies view it: Blues big favourites
Given the gulf in quality between these two sides, it’s no surprise to see Chelsea as short as 2/7 on Boylesports.
Los Angeles FC’s hopes of reaching the knockout round will likely hinge on their subsequent group games with Flamengo and ES Tunis, and that is reflected in the pre-match odds. The Black and Gold are as big as 15/2 (Boylesports) to spring a shock while the draw is an unfancied 4/1 (Boylesports).
Head to head: History book blank
While Chelsea have come up against MLS opposition during pre-season in recent years, this will be the first time that they have ever locked horns with LAFC.
Players to watch: More joy for Jackson?
I successfully backed Nicolas Jackson to score or assist during Chelsea’s Europa Conference League victory over Real Betis last month and I’m more than happy to revisit the same selection here at 8/11 on Bet 365. The Blues forward ended the regular season with 13 goals and five assists across his overall 31 appearances.
Denis Bouanga has been one of the deadliest strikers in the MLS over the last few seasons, netting eight times in 15 outings this term. The LAFC forward looks overpriced for an anytime strike on Monday night at 3/1 on Boylesports.
Predicted line-ups
Chelsea will be unable to call upon injured defender Wesley Fofana, but apart from that they have a fully fit squad to choose from. After thrashing Real Betis 4-1 last time out, Blues boss Maresca could stick with the same set of players for this Group D curtain-raiser.
Hugo Lloris is a familiar face between the posts for LAFC, as is experienced striker Oliver Giroud, although the latter is expected to start on the bench on Monday night.
Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Los Angeles FC: Lloris; Palencia, Long, Segura, Hollingshead; Tillman, Jesus, Delgado; Yeboah, Bouanga, Ebobisse
Anything else catch the eye?
With both teams expected to play on the front foot on Monday night, the 4/5 on Boylesports for both teams to get on the scoresheet holds plenty of appeal.
Chelsea were far from watertight on their way to winning the Europa Conference League, with BTTS landing in six of their final nine matches en route to lifting the trophy.
As for LAFC, they have delivered a winning both teams to score selection in seven of their last nine matches in MLS.
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