Chelsea will take on LAFC in their first game of the new Club World Cup.
The Europa Conference League winners arrive in the United States buoyed by their top-five finish in the Premier League, which guaranteed them Champions League football next term.
Enzo Maresca has made some big calls regarding his squad ahead of this tournament, leaving some notable names at home, while including a couple of new signings.
New no9 Liam Delap could feature for the first time in Chelsea blue, while Dario Essugo, the midfielder signed from Sporting, is also involved.
Cole Palmer will wear his the no10 shirt for the first time, while Andrey Santos is among the 28-strong squad that includes other new signings - goalkeeper Mike Penders and defender Mamadou Sarr.
The big absentees are Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling, Djordje Petrovic, Axel Disasi, and Wesley Fofana.
Chelsea have been placed in Group D, alongside LA, Brazilian side Flamengo, and ES Tunis, four-time winners of the African Champions League.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Chelsea vs LAFC is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off time today on Monday, June 16 2025.
The match will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Where to watch Chelsea vs LAFC
TV channel: Channel 5 has secured 23 games to show in the UK, and this match is one of them. Coverage starts at 7pm.
Live stream: DAZN has exclusive broadcast rights to the tournament, and will screen all 63 games free-to-air on its service.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s blog.
Free highlights: Channel 5 will show highlights of every game on its social media accounts and on YouTube.
Chelsea vs LAFC team news
Besides Fofana, Maresca’s squad selection was based entirely on player preference.
Fofana, the French centre-back, has been forced out of contention with a hamstring injury that he sustained before the end of the season.
However, players that spent their campaigns away from Stamford Bridge on loan, like Felix, Sterling, and Petrovic, are not included.
Neither is left-back Ben Chilwell, leaving Marc Cucurella as the Blues’ only recognised senior left-back in the squad, although Levi Colwill, and natural right-backs Reece James, Malo Gusto, and Josh Acheampong have all deputised there previously.
As for their MLS opponents, they boast some familiar faces.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is between the sticks, while ex-Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud could lead the line.
Steve Cherundolo assumed control from Bob Bradley back in 2022, and he plays a 4-3-3 formation, with Denis Bouanga, who has scored eight goals in 15 MLS games to add to his 25 and 21 tallies from the previous seasons, their one to watch.
Giroud has often been left on the bench in place of Nathan Ordaz, the club’s homegrown striker, who has three goals in MLS this term.
Chelsea vs LAFC prediction
It depends on whether Maresca will take the tournament seriously, but if he does, the Premier League side should have far too much for the spirited Americans, even if they are playing in their home country.
Chelsea to win, 3-0.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
This will be the first time the two sides have faced each other.
Chelsea vs LAFC match odds
Chelsea to win: 1/3
Draw: 5/1
LAFC to win: 10/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
