Match for the 1st round of the Club World Cup, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta.
What We Know
- This is the first match between these two.
- Los Angeles forward Olivier Giroud spent 3.5 years with Chelsea (January 2018 - July 2021), winning a Champions League and a Europa League.
- Nine of LA’s last 11 games saw both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals.
Betting Tip Chelsea – Los Angeles
Chelsea have the talent to start off the competition with a win and show who’s boss in group D. They will be facing a team that affords their opponents a lot of open space, and Chelsea can take advantage. The MLS side can contribute to a high-scoring game, but it’s unlikely they challenge for a win. Our pick is Chelsea to win & over 2.5 goals.
- Betting tip: Chelsea win & over 2.5 goals
- Odds: 1.80 (at the time of writing)
- Stake: 3
Chelsea
Chelsea are participating in the competition as the 2020/2021 European champions, having won that season’s Champions League. A lot has changed since then on every level, especially ownership, and Chelsea are still struggling to return to those glories.
Last season, they took the first step, returning to the top European competition after a drought. They finished fourth after a long and arduous campaign, winning that spot in a clutch last-round week away at competitors Nottingham Forest.
On top of that, Chelsea were able to add yet another trophy to their collection, the only one that was missing. By winning the Conference League, they became the first European club that have won every trophy currently in play. They defeated Real Betis 4-1 in the final, coming back from an early deficit.
That was their last game of the season prior to this one. Cole Palmer (2 goals) and Enzo Fernandes (1 goal, 1 assist) did most of the work for Enzo Maresca’s side. Super subs James and Sancho helped as well. All four Chelsea goals came after the 65th minute.
The team is laser-focused on the future, starting off with the Club World Cup. Transfer reinforcements are already arriving or are on their way. The first two to join were former Ipswich forward Liam Delap and Strasbourg’s Mamadou Sarr. Milan goalkeeper Maignan, on the other hand, will not be joining.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles FC are in this competition almost by accident. They competed in a playoff qualifier on 1 June against Club America, and they had an opportunity to compete against the best teams in the world, after taking the spot of suspended Club Leon from Mexico.
In the game against Club America, they earned a hard-fought extra-time win (2-1). Igor Jesus saved them from the brink of defeat by equalising in the 89th minute, before Denis Bouanga gave them the victory in the 115th minute.
The winger from Gabon has been prolific in the last couple of months. He has tallied nine goals and six assists in ten games, participating in nine such games. His team is unbeaten in these games, winning four and drawing six games.
LA FC have managed to accumulate 26 points after 16 MLS games in the Western Conference. This tally brings them in the top 7, a place that leads directly to the round of 16.
