Chelsea begin their 2025 Club World Cup campaign against Los Angeles FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday 16th June at 8pm (UK time).
The Blues are one-time champions of the Club World Cup, but this marks the start of a new tournament format. This game will be broadcast live in the UK on Channel 5 and DAZN.
Chelsea to win and BTTS (7/4 with Puntit)
A 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final capped off a successful first campaign for head coach Enzo Maresca, who exceeded early-season expectations by guiding the West London giants back into the Champions League.
The team concluded the 2024-25 season with eight wins in their final nine games across all competitions, which provided excellent preparation for their upcoming participation in the Club World Cup. However, there are still concerns about their defence, which can be inconsistent at times.
Originally, LAFC was set to watch the Club World Cup from home. However, Mexican club León, the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League winners, were expelled from the tournament due to violations of FIFA’s multi-club ownership rules. This led to LAFC competing against Club América in a winner-takes-all play-in match for the final spot among the 32 teams. LAFC emerged victorious with a 2-1 win in extra time, earning a spot for their first appearance in the Club World Cup.
As the reigning US Open Cup champions, LAFC has been building momentum over the past few weeks. A 3-1 MLS victory over Sporting Kansas City on June 9 extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games in all competitions, and they have scored at least twice in each of those matches.
Over 3.5 goals (5/4 with Dabble)
As touched upon, seven of LAFC’s past eight league games have seen at least four goals scored. LAFC scored at least two goals in each of their past nine. That being said, the run of results has consisted of only four wins and five draws. Despite this run, LAFC has shown defensive frailties, with no clean sheets in their previous four matches. As for Chelsea, two of their last three international games, including the Conference League final, saw over 3.5 goals scored. Indeed, of the Blues’ 13 matches in UEFA’s third-tier competition, seven yielded at least four goals. With both teams possessing lethal attacks coupled with questionable defences, it should be a high-scoring affair.
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How both teams go into Chelsea vs LAFC
Chelsea earned their spot in the 2025 Club World Cup thanks to their 2020–21 Champions League success. The Blues are in the Club World Cup for the third time, having lost the final in 2012 and won it in the 2021 edition. Chelsea ended the 2024–25 campaign with a trophy, lifting the UEFA Conference League by beating Real Betis 4–1 in the final. They also secured a top-four finish in the Premier League, thus securing a return to the Champions League. So they will undoubtedly hope to progress far in the Club World Cup, with a manageable group stage.
LAFC were the last team to secure their spot in the Club World Cup. This was to be Club León, but the Mexican side was kicked out due to non-compliance with ownership rules. So, LAFC faced Club América in a play-in match for the extra spot. LAFC were the 2023 Concacaf Champions League runners-up, while Club América was the highest-ranked team behind Club León in the confederation that hadn’t qualified for the Club World Cup. LAFC won that game 2-1 after extra time, having scored an 89th-minute equaliser to save their hopes. The Club World Cup takes place in the middle of the Major League Soccer season, with LAFC currently fifth in the Western Conference.
Chelsea team news
Chelsea’s 28-man squad includes new signings Liam Delap, Dario Saric, and Mamadou Sarr, all of whom should feel optimistic about earning their first appearances for the Blues as Maresca rotates his squad throughout the summer. The key players are also present—Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernández, and Moises Caicedo are expected to play significant roles. However, hamstring victim Wesley Fofana is still on the treatment table. Additionally, Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk is currently serving a provisional doping suspension, and goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was omitted from the squad as he seeks a new team during the transfer window.
LAFC team news
The LAFC squad is headlined by ex-Blues frontman Olivier Giroud, who is still going strong at 38 and netted his side’s third and final goal against SKC last time out. On-loan Celtic midfielder Odin Holm is also among the Black and Gold players, but the Norwegian lynchpin has been struggling with a leg injury of late and is not expected to feature on matchday one. Another familiar face to Premier League and Blues fans is former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, between the sticks. Meanwhile, Denis Bouanga, who has scored eight goals in 15 MLS games, adding to his 25 and 21 tallies from the previous seasons, is one to watch.
Chelsea vs LAFC head-to-head
Unsurprisingly, this will be the first competitive meeting between Chelsea and LAFC.