Palmeiras vs Chelsea: Tips, Odds, and Match Preview

Palmeiras is set to face Chelsea in the second game of the 2025 Club World Cup quarterfinals. This is only their second meeting in history.

The only previous duel, played in the final of the same competition three years ago, went the London way with Kai Havertz netting the winner in the 177th minute. The teams were fairly evenly matched throughout the game, and we can expect a close contest in Philadelphia on Saturday.

Palmeiras Tough to Beat

The Brazilian side earned their stripes by topping the group A—no small feat considering that Porto was also in the mix. That pinned the Dragons to face fellow Brazilians Botafogo instead of Juventus, a task they to gruel through and win 1:0 in extra time.

The game was pretty end to end for most of the 120 minutes. Substitute Paulinho, who is set to have surgery after the tour, scored the only goal that separated the two sides. That seems to be the story of Palmeiras on the tour; coach Abel Ferreira is using his entire squad, and whoever steps onto the pitch on Saturday against Chelsea can make an impact.

Palmeiras Injury & Suspension News

Coach Ferreira cannot count on suspended Joaquin Piquerez. Likewise, the Round of 16 hero Paulinho will be having leg surgery after the competition, and Ferreira is expected to use him sparingly.

Chelsea Digging Deep

Chelsea had to dig deep against Benfica and survive a late onslaught after leading for a large chunk of the game. At one point, the match was interrupted due to a lightning strike in the area with five minutes to go and delayed for upwards of two hours. Worse yet, Angel di Maria's stoppage-time penalty took the game to extra time, where Chelsea were their usual self and with three goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added to Reece James' 64th-minute opener.

The state of the game at Bank of America Stadium even prompted Enzo Maresca to decry a condemning ‘It's not football' aimed towards the host nation. Football or not, Chelsea will be up for it in the quarterfinals.

Chelsea Injury & Suspension News

The frontline will be boosted by the return of Nicklas Jackson, who served out his two-match ban after seeing a red card. Conversely, defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo is set to miss the game due to suspension.

Palmeiras vs Chelsea Prediction

You know how in war, the more it goes on, the more gruesome it gets. That's because both sides have been through things, just like Chelsea and Palmeiras here. For that reason, I'm expecting the most competitive game in the Club World Cup so far.

There's also this thing about Chelsea handing Palmeiras a heartbreak in the finals three years ago. Most of the squads are not the same as they were, but the jerseys remain.

Still, I vote Chelsea.

CryptoGamba tip: Chelsea to qualify – 1.50 @Shuffle