ES Tunis vs Chelsea predictions: Club World Cup tips and odds
Our expert has three tips for the Club World Cup contest between ES Tunis and Chelsea at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (kick-off, 2am BST Wednesday). We think Enzo Maresca's men can grind out three points.
ES Tunis vs Chelsea tips
Chelsea to win and under 3.5 goals @ 10/11 with bet365
Liam Delap to score @ 5/4 with bet365
Yan Sasse to have a shot on target @ 5/4 with bet365
Odds courtesy of bet365 Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Already a bet365 member? Check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts.
Blues can land knockout blow
Avoiding defeat against ES Tunis will see Chelsea through to the last 16 of the Club World Cup, but they should have enough to grind out victory in what could be a scrappy affair in Pennsylvania.
Chelsea faded in the second half of their 3-1 defeat by Flamengo – not helped by the sending-off of Nicolas Jackson – while they looked shaky at times against Los Angeles FC.
But they have also had moments in this tournament in which they have looked sharp and dangerous going forwards and their added quality should get them over the line against ES Tunis.
Chelsea's Premier League matches last term averaged only 2.82 goals per game, while both sides are missing key forwards, so back a Chelsea win and under 3.5 goals at 10/11.
Delap to profit from Jackson's absence
Liam Delap is set to lead the line for Chelsea with Nicolas Jackson suspended and he is a good bet to score at 5/4 with bet365, especially as punters can make use of the 'Sub On Play On' feature with this selection.
Goals might not flow in Philadelphia but Delap will thrive if it is a physical battle and he had two shots, one of which was on target, in the 63 minutes he played against Flamengo.
Delap scored 12 goals for a sub-par Ipswich team in the Premier League last season and ranked 22nd in the league for shots with 68, so he could produce a lively performance.
Sasse could be on target
Youcef Belaili scored the only goal of the game in ES Tunis's win over Los Angeles FC, but they will be without their star man here after he was booked for diving, picking up a second yellow card in as many games.
Other attacking players will therefore need to step up against Chelsea and Yan Sasse, who is a contender to start through the middle or on the flank, is overpriced at 5/4 to have a shot on target.
Sasse scored 10 goals in the Tunisian top flight last season and he managed three shots including one on target in the win over Los Angeles, despite only coming on after 61 minutes as a substitute.
'Sub On Play On' also comes into play for this pick.
ES Tunis vs Chelsea odds
All odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
18 minutes ago
- The Guardian
The USWNT's domestic-heavy roster can benefit their World Cup yearning
While national teams in Europe, Africa and South America prepare for the biggest tournaments in their region, the US women's national team convene this month for three friendlies with a unique approach. For back-to-back tests against Republic of Ireland followed by a meeting with Canada, nearly all of their Europe-based players are on vacation. 'We've left out the vast majority of players that are playing in Europe bar one, and that's Naomi Girma,' said the head coach, Emma Hayes. 'The rest of those players have been playing non-stop [for the] last two years without a summer break and this is the only opportunity they will get for a much-needed break. It also gives us the chance to play players who are playing domestically.' The USWNT have their eye on winning the 2027 World Cup. Hayes' decision to prepare for that by deferring her Europe-based players to the next window, which is not until the autumn, is a calculated call and one that could bolster the team's chances long-term. In a sport rife with injury amid oversaturated calendars – in addition to the often-overlooked impact of mental health – Hayes is prioritising rest for the likes of Arsenal's Emily Fox, Chelsea's Catarina Macario, OL Lyonnes's Lindsey Horan and Manchester United's Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The decision is in character with Hayes' approach over the past year as she carefully plans for the individual development and health of each player via the process of periodisation and, in the process, vets a wider playing pool. The timing also provides sharp relief to the tumultuous state of the US men's squad which, too, is lacking Europe-based talent, though in its case due to injuries, uncertain club situations, continued club duty or, in the case of Christian Pulisic, a personal and controversial request for a break. Hayes' strategy is an attempt to pre-empt the exact same situation for the women's team's two years out from their most important event. Hayes's 25-woman squad contains six uncapped players and four entirely new names. There are 10 defenders in the squad, including Girma, and US fans can expect various permutations in the backline. There will certainly be experimentation at full-back, with Kansas City's Izzy Rodriquez in line for a start at left-back on her first call-up to the squad and Houston's Avery Patterson, who has four caps, likely to feature at right-back in the absence of Fox. As could Gisele Thompson, who returns to camp listed as a full-back having been listed as a forward in the previous camp. 'Gisele may very well move fluidly between those positions,' Hayes noted. 'I think Gisele's best strength is as a wing-back so sometimes it's adept for her to be the full-back in the team and sometimes it's adept for her to be the winger'. As with multiple players in this camp, such as the 18-year-old Seattle centre-back Jordyn Bugg, Thompson might be moved to the youth team as Hayes also uses this time to develop players for the 2028 Olympics and 2031 World Cup. In midfield, two exceptionally talented Olympians in Rose Lavelle and Croix Bethune also return from injury. Lavelle is among the most experienced players in the squad with 110 caps and Hayes outlined how much of a miss she has been, saying of the 30-year-old: 'She's supremely gifted as a football player and someone who [is still] maturing as a top-level footballer. In the last 12 months she's started to add new dimensions in between the lines.' On Croix Bethune, the 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) rookie of the year, Hayes said: 'There is still work to do for Croix to reach the next level. We want to sit down with her and work through all the things we're looking for at the top level so that she can keep adding those things into a game for the Washington Spirit. But she's exceptionally gifted, particularly with a final pass, her weight of pass. She can execute.' Starting this week in Colorado, a mix of players returning from injury, emerging into their prime or making their first appearance for the national team will contend for a role in the squad that competes at the World Cup. The circumstances are unique and it is up to them to make the most of that. Yes, that is a rumour [that has been going around]. But there is a reason why we have performance coaches and medical staff. They are in constant communication with each other and I think we're doing a good job so far' – Switzerland coach Pia Sundhage responds to reports that her players have been pushed too hard during the pre-Euros camp. Euro 2025 prep under way: European national teams are tuning up for the upcoming European Championship. France, who've yet to win a major international tournament despite a consistently deep pool of talent, beat Belgium 5-0 on Friday, with the Manchester United forward Melvine Malard scoring a hat-trick. Brazil eye Copa América Femenina defence: Brazil play France this Friday in an interesting pre-Copa América Femenina friendly for the eight-times champions. It is also a re-run of a quarter-final tie from last year's Olympics, which Brazil won 1-0 thanks to Gabi Portilho's strike on 82 minutes. Champions League draw news: Manchester United will face PSV Eindhoven in the semi-final of their Champions League second-round qualifying group on 27 August, as Marc Skinner's team begin only their second ever European campaign. PSV were runners-up in the Eredivisie last term. The winners of that one-legged tie will then meet either Hammarby IF of Sweden or FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv of Ukraine on 30 August in that group's final, for a place in the third round of qualifying, where a further two-legged, knockout tie stands between these teams and a place in the new league phase of the competition, where teams such as holders Arsenal will be waiting. The Scottish champions Hibernian, who were unseeded for Tuesday's qualifying draw, face a tricky-looking contest against Danish champions Fortuna Hjørring in their semi-final, having been separated from clubs such as Manchester United and entered into a qualifying pathway specifically for domestic league winners. The venues of all of these fixtures remain to be decided. United assistant to manage Bristol City: Bristol City are to appoint the Manchester United assistant Charlotte Healy as their new head coach. According to multiple sources, the WSL 2 club have agreed terms with Healy, who has also worked for the Football Association and Liverpool prior to joining United six years ago, initially at the girls academy. She has worked with Skinner's first-team for three years. Healys appointment ends City's month-long search for a new head coach following Steve Kirby's exit in mid-May. The South Korean veteran Ji So-yun only required six minutes to score with a smartly taken finish in Seattle's 4-1 NWSL win against Utah Royals on Saturday. The former Chelsea midfielder also provided two assists in the victory at America First Field. Euro 2025 guides? Euro 2025 guides! We are a week out from the tournament which means everything you need to know about each team will be found here at the Guardian. Up first: Finland, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Meanwhile debutants Wales are undaunted by their formidable group and are heading to Euro 2025 ready to leave a legacy, writed Louise Taylor. Hannah Hampton has vowed to try to live up to Mary Earps's legacy after being confirmed as England's No 1 due to her shock retirement. And in an exclusive from Tom Garry, Seb Hines and Giles Barnes share all on their friendship and how the British pair guided Orlando Pride to their first NWSL title in 2024.
Daily Mirror
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Ruben Amorim may copy Jurgen Klopp as Man Utd swap stance clear after £60m offer
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim could take a page out of Jurgen Klopp's book as his side look to step up their business this summer following a fresh £60million offer Manchester United aren't accustomed to taking their lead from Liverpool, but Ruben Amorim may do just that by swerving a move to sign Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman is believed to be up for sale this summer after falling afoul at Chelsea, with the Red Devils among those said to be interested. The Telegraph reported on Monday that United and Chelsea are "weighing up" a potential swap deal involving Nkunku and Alejandro Garnacho. Both players have seen their stock plummet at their respective clubs of late, with each being touted to move in the coming months. Garnacho, 20, fell out with Amorim towards the end of this season when he was dropped for key clashes against Tottenham and Aston Villa. And the Argentina international appears to have hinted he's ready to leave after posting an image of himself wearing a Villa jersey with Rashford's name and number on the back, having spent part of this term on loan in Birmingham. Nkunku, 27, had lofty ambitions after he joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for an eye-bulging £52million. However, the France international wouldn't be expected to fetch the same fee today despite scoring 14 times in 22 starts this season. His career in England may have panned out differently had the boardroom brains at Anfield got their way. The Reds recruitment team identified Nkunku as a likeable target during his time in Germany. However, The Times reported Klopp stepped in to insist his side signed Darwin Nunez from Benfica instead. The manager got his wish, though many might wonder if Nkunku would have been the superior signing given Nunez's struggles in front of goal. And Amorim, 40, could conduct a similar hijack as United step up their interest in Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo. That's after seeing an initial offer of £45m plus £10m in add-ons rebuffed by the Bees. The Red Devils have now returned with a second bid totalling £60m for the Cameroon international. Amorim has already added Brazil international Matheus Cunha to his squad this summer but appears adamant to continue strengthening his options in attack. Despite missing out on European qualification for the coming campaign, United's spending power doesn't appear to have been dented as badly as some predicted. Or at least the club isn't shying away from lavish expenses, confident in their ability to balance the books via other means. Amorim hasn't wasted much time in attempting to put his own imprint on the team during his first summer window at the Old Trafford helm. And adding Mbeumo to his selection would represent another statement signing given the player could well hold out for a team playing among Europe's elite next season. Any pursuit of Nkunku could be seen as more appealing given the implication that it would help offload Garnacho. However, that would still require a significant piece of negotiation as the two deals would have to be treated individually, rather than a straight swap. In any case, United's follow-up bid for Mbeumo appears to suggest he has caught Amorim's eye as the more desirable target. And if that is the case, it would illustrate the Portuguese's powers of persuasion, not unlike former Liverpool boss Klopp.
The Independent
30 minutes ago
- The Independent
Oklahoma City Thunder fans to celebrate NBA title with a parade after years of heartbreak
Oklahoma City 's unwavering fans finally get to celebrate a championship after suffering through several close calls and heartbreaking moments the past two decades. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers on Sunday to clinch the NBA title, and the city will hold a parade on Tuesday morning to honor its first major professional championship. Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, All-Star Jalen Williams and their teammates will pass through downtown for an event that is scheduled to last 90 minutes. Oklahoma City first hosted an NBA team during the 2005-06 season, when the New Orleans Hornets temporarily relocated after Hurricane Katrina. Oklahoma City's fans fell in love with the team and a young point guard named Chris Paul who would be named rookie of the year. The Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in time for the 2008-09 season, and fans feverishly supported the team, despite its early struggles. The Thunder became contenders with young stars Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Even with all that talent, they couldn't break through. They lost to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals in 2012, and Harden left for Houston. A possible run in 2013 was derailed when Westbrook was injured during the playoffs. The 2015-16 team led the Golden State Warriors 3-1 in the Western Conference finals before losing the series in seven games. Durant left to join the Warriors after that season, ending that version of the Thunder. Westbrook was the league MVP in 2017 and averaged a triple-double for three straight seasons, but the Thunder never got out of the first round those years. But with its new set of superstars, finally, Oklahoma City has its moment. ___
