The only non-European team remaining in this Club World Cup could be eliminated just one step away from the final. Yes, because against Chelsea, the Brazilians of Fluminense have objectively little chance of reaching the final.
Obvious, you might say: the same was said about Inter and then Al Hilal, and we all know how that turned out. But this time things are quite different, as we have seen in these matches. Chelsea really want to go all the way, they have an overwhelming desire to win – Maresca said so himself in his pre-match press conference – and they have no intention of letting go. So let’s take a look at the players who could find the net, or at least get a few shots on goal, during this match.
Fluminense vs. Chelsea predictions, our picks
Pedro Neto, the Blues’ winger, is our man to score. The Brazilian team is not as solid on the wings as it is in the heart of the defense, led by the professor Thiago Silva. The Portuguese player, born in 2000, has four games and three goals in this competition and could increase his tally in this match. He could even aim for the top of the scoring charts. We all like him, we know that.
On the subject of shooters, Enzo Fernandez, at least according to some indications on the eve of the match, could be fielded as an attacking midfielder. The Argentine has good timing, but that’s not all: he also has the quality to find the back of the net. And even if he plays further back, he has the quality to hit the target at least once.
Finally, after breaking his duck in the last game, Cole Palmer will now want to continue on the same path. So, we obviously expect at least two shots on target from the man with the best technical ability in the team. Especially since the odds in this case—a double—are really worth a try.