Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC Prediction: Can the Blues win opening Club World Cup game?

Chelsea and Los Angeles FC do battle at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday (8pm) with both teams fancying their chances of getting out of the Club World Cup Group D.

Matthew O’Regan has previewed the game and handpicked his best two bets.

Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC Preview

Both teams have had different ways of qualifying for this summer’s tournament. Chelsea qualified by virtue of winning the Champions League in the last four years, whereas LAFC qualified due to LIGA MX side Club Leon being disqualified due to FIFA’s multi-club ownership rules.

The Gold and Black originally lost to Leon in the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup final, but were given a reprieve in a playoff against another LIGA MX side, this time Club America. Steve Cherundolo’s side won 2-1 thanks to goals from Igor Jesus and talisman Denis Bounaga.

With up to $125m available for the tournament winners, expect both teams to go for the jugular and start fast.

Chelsea vs Los Angeles Tips

Despite coming in for much criticism throughout the season, Enzo Maresca managed to secure a fourth place finish as well as winning the Europa Conference League, making Chelsea the first club in history to win all three European Trophies. The Blues flexed their financial muscles in the Conference League, fielding a virtually different side on the Thursday that would play on the weekend in the Premier League. Similar is expected in the opening game.

With key players such as Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill all playing in the international break, expect rotation. Still, Chelsea’s ‘B’ team are more than capable of putting LAFC to the sword. In 38 Premier League games, BTTS landed in 22.

LAFC have been the best team in the USA over the last few years but have struggled by their standards this year, currently sitting fifth in the Western Conference. The Gold and Black have seen their games average 3.31 goals, scoring in 14/16 games, with BTTS landing in seven of their last nine. In this time frame, they have scored 22 goals and conceded 13.

With fringe players set to play, teenager Joshua Acheampong should be afforded a rare start.

The 19-year-old impressed in his two Premier League starts and seven Conference League starts, and it is expected he will start at left back.

Acheampong is averaging 2.07 tackles per 90 this season. 15 left-backs and 13 right-backs against LAFC have had at least two tackles this season, so Acheampong should rack them up regardless of what side he is on.