Chelsea vs Al Hilal prediction: European champion Chelsea will be facing Al Hilal in the semi-final of the club world cup currently going on in UAE
The blues are looking to win their first club world cup trophy in history despite that it’s their second appearance at the competition.
Chelsea vs Al Hilal Match Preview:
Chelsea last match was against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup and the blues were forced to win the match in extra time.
The blues were given a signal that they have to be at their best to win any match and Al Hilal will fancy their chances when they meet on Wednesday.
Chelsea last adventure at the FIFA club world cup was nothing to write home about as they lost in the final.
Brazilian outfit, Corinthians defeated Chelsea in 2012 and the blues will be eager to rewrite history with their second chance, nine years later.
On the other side, Al Hilal started their adventure in this tournament with a win over Al Jazira Club.
Having qualified for the Club World Cup by winning the AFC Champions League, Al Hilal defeated Al Jazira Club 6-1.
Former Manchester United forward, Odion Ighalo equalized for Al Hilal after they conceded the first blow.
Al Hilal then scored five unreplied goals to take book a place in the semi-final.
Chelsea will have to deal with some players who have harmed them in the past with Al Hilal boosting of former West Bromwich Albion attacker Matheus Pereira in their squad.
Al Hilal last six matches have seen them draw just one and record victory in the rest.
Chelsea vs Al Hilal Team News
Al-Hilal have no fresh injury concerns from their semi-final success, so it would not be a surprise to see Jardim send the same starting XI onto the field on Wednesday.
Jardim will be relying on the experience of Odion Ighalo and Pereira who scored for West Brom when they defeated Thomas Tuchel’s team 5-2 at Stamford Bridge last season.
On the other side, Chelsea might be without their first-choice goalkeeper, Eduard Mendy who won the AFCON tournament with Senegal on Sunday night.
Mendy will join his teammates at a later date, a move that means Kepa Arrizabalaga will keep his place in goal.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was instrumental for Chelsea during the weekend, he saved a penalty.
Thomas Tuchel will not be on the bench after testing positive for COVID-19 and this means his assistant is tasked with bringing home the trophy.
Ben Chilwell and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are both injured and despite travelling with the squad, Recce James is out of contention.
The blues will have to stick with their usual back three of Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azipilicueta.
Alonso and Callum Hudson-Odoi are tipped to play the wing-backs position with Jorginho and Kante holding the midfield position.
Upfront, Lukaku will be eager to find his scoring boot and he will be supported by inform Hakim Ziyech and Mason Mount who limped off the match against Plymouth Argyle.
Al-Hilal possible starting lineup:
Al Maiouf; Abdul Hamid, Hyun-Soo, Ali Bulaihi, Al Shahrani; Kanno, Cuellar; Marega, Pereira, Al Dawsari; Ighalo
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Kepa; Azpilicueta, T Silva, Rudiger; Callum Hudson-Odoi, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho; Mount, Lukaku, Ziyech
Chelsea vs Al Hilal prediction
The match will not be an easy ride for Chelsea but the men from London are favourite on paper.
Chelsea have tasted victory in the past few months and they will be willing to continue that trend by recording a victory against Al Hilal.
The match will be tight but we predict Chelsea 2 – Al Hilal 0.
