Chelsea v Fluminese: Semi-Final Preview

Can Chels make another major final?

Good Morning all,

It is Semi-Final day today and Chelsea are 90 minutes away from a Major Final, and the first of the newly formatted Club World Cup, but it won’t be easy

Here’s a full preview of tonight’s Club World Cup semi-final:

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⏱️ Match Details

• Fixture: Chelsea vs Fluminense

• Competition: 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Semi-final

• Date & Time: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 — 8 pm UK

• Venue: MetLife Stadium, conditions in the high 30°C with possible thunderstorms.

• UK: Live on DAZN (free account required); talkSPORT radio/audio only

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📋 Team News & Form

Chelsea

• Form: Riding high after beating Benfica and Palmeiras 12 wins in our last 14 matches.

• Injuries/Suspensions:

  • Suspended: Liam Delap & Levi Colwill

  • Doubtful: Reece James

  • Absent: Romeo Lavia & Benoît Badiashile

Fluminense

• Form: Undefeated in 11 matches, strong knockout scalps of Inter Milan and Al-Hilal so far.

• Suspended: Matheus Martinelli & Juan Pablo Freytes

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🧾 Bottom Line

Chelsea are the stronger, more favored side, but sweaty conditions, key absences, and Thiago Silva’s presence make this a real test. The Blues need a sharp start, to dominate midfield, and control the tempo throughout. Fluminense are compact and mentally tough, they will keep it tight and strike on transitions or set pieces.

🔢 Score Prediction

After predicting the Palmeiras game exactly correct, I feel like I am on a roll.

I am going for a Chelsea win, a narrow 1-0 victory with Joao Pedro to get the winner against his former club.

⚽ Lineup Prediction

This is what I would like to see, but also how I feel Maresca may go.

I feel like Maresca and the wider group have lost faith in Jackson after 2 red cards in his last 3 games and after a superb cameo v Palmerias I can see Joao Pedro starting.

If Reece is fit and well then he should 100% start over Gusto. The other 10 pick themselves for me with no Romeo Lavia due to injury and no Levi Colwill or Liam Delap due to injury.

I understand we’re short in attack currently with Estevao yet to join and Gittens ineligible in the CWC, BUT, I do not want to see the likes of Madueke,/Nkunku starting when they’re clearly one foot out of the door. They may have to be used off the bench, but not from the start for me!

Thank you all for reading!

Luke Rushbrook