Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Second spot in Group D and a place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup is up for grabs when Esperance Sportive de Tunis take on Chelsea in Philadelphia.
Qualification for the knockout stages is in Chelsea’s hands at Lincoln Financial Field where just a draw against Tunisian powerhouses Esperance will see the Premier League club through.
Defeat, of course, and they are out but Enzo Maresca’s men are heavy favourites to topple their Tunis rivals, whose 1-0 defeat of Los Angeles has given them a shot at progressing.
Ahead of this straight shootout we have identified a 16/5 bet builder for the contest.
Esperance Sportive de Tunis v Chelsea Tips
- 15+ Away Shots @ 4/7
- 1st Half Total Corners (5.5) – Under @ 1/3
- Pedro Neto to have 2+ Shots @ 1/9
- 2nd Half Total Goals Over 1.5 @ 10/11
Pays out at 16/5
Blues to call the shots
Chelsea are in the privileged position of knowing a point will secure them a spot in the round of 16 at the Club World Cup, but they will be after – and expecting – more than that.
A decent-enough 2-0 win over Los Angeles was followed by a disappointing 3-1 loss to Flamengo, so Chelsea have points to prove.
Esperance, level with Chelsea on three points, look an okay side, tidy with the ball but carrying little threat.
Chelsea fired off 13 shots – despite playing with 10 men for almost half an hour – against Flamengo having racked up 17 against LA. Split the difference and back 15 Chelsea efforts as a minimum expectation.
Leg 1: 15+ Away Shots @ 4/7
Tense start could help corner a profit
Statistically at least, under 5.5 match corners is a no-brainer.
Chelsea mustered just two corners in the first 45 against LA and one in the first half against Flamengo.
The Tunisians, meanwhile, didn’t win a single first-half corner against Flamengo and only one against Los Angeles.
Throw in the tension of the occasion and under 5.5 in the opening period makes obvious sense.
Leg 2: 1st Half Total Corners (5.5) – Under @ 1/3
Neto to find way to Esperance goal
Chelsea ace Pedro Neto has found the net in each of his side’s games so far.
He fired off two shots against Los Angeles and three against Flamengo, getting plenty of sighters cutting in off his flank.
This game will have to open up at some point so take Neto to get off at least a couple of efforts.
Leg 3: Pedro Neto to have 2+ Shots @ 1/9
Fireworks to be lit after the break
These crunch games mean risks will have to be taken by one side or another and that opens up the possibility of a decent second half, if not the first.
Throw in tiredness and errors creeping in and there’s a decent chance we should see two goals or more after the break.
Six of the nine goals scored in Group D have arrived in the second half and expect late drama in Philly, too.
Leg 4: 2nd Half Total Goals Over 1.5 @ 10/11
