Preview for Esperance v Chelsea
Chelsea need just a point against Esperance tomorrow to qualify but will want to go into the last 16 of the Club World Cup on the back of a victory.
Enzo Maresca’s men were seemingly cruising into the knockout stages when leading against Flamengo in their last outing, Pedro Neto’s early strike putting them in control.
But goals from Bruno Henrique, Danilo and Wallace Yan, combined with the brainless dismissal of Nicolas Jackson, saw the Premier League side overwhelmed in Philadelphia.
Both Chelsea and Esperance sit on three points from two games in Group D but the Londoners’ superior goal difference means a draw would be enough to send them through.
And having experimented against Flamengo, it seems likely Maresca will revert back to the tried and tested tomorrow night.
“We tried to do something different during the game, also for next season, but congratulations to them,” Maresca said following the game against the Brazilians. “Now we have one more game, and we are going to try to win the next one.”
Esperance are still in contention due to their dramatic 1-0 win over LAFC last time out.
Youcef Belaili scored the goal but had to share the after-match plaudits with goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said, whose last-gasp penalty save from Denis Bouanga, preserved the win.
Team News for Esperance v Chelsea
Jackson is suspended, meaning Liam Delap will retain his position in the starting XI.
Reece James played in a more advanced role against Flamengo but will likely revert to a more orthodox right-back position.
Esperance are likely to be unchanged.
