Kawasaki Frontale vs Chelsea
J-League World Challenge 2019
Venue: Nissan Stadium, Yokohama, Japan
Date: Friday July 19, 2019
Kick-off time: 7pm JST, 11am BST
Chelsea contest the first of two pre-season fixtures in Japan on Friday as they face current J1 League champions Kawasaki Frontale in Yokohama.
The Blues began life under new boss Frank Lampard with a nine-day stay in Ireland, where they drew 1-1 with Bohemians before a stronger side thrashed St Patrick's Athletic 4-0 thanks to goals from returning loanee Mason Mount, Emerson Palmieri and Olivier Giroud.
Making their first trip to Japan since 2012, Chelsea face a high-profile clash with reigning LaLiga champions Barcelona in Saitama on Tuesday, but first will look to win the J-League World Challenge at Nissan Stadium - venue for the 2002 World Cup Final between Brazil and Germany.
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Chelsea team news
Chelsea XI: Caballero; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Zouma, Alonso; Kovacic, Jorginho; Mount, Kenedy, Pedro; Batshuayi
Substitutes: Cumming, Zappacosta, Christensen, Emerson, Tomori, Drinkwater, Barkley, Pulisic, Palmer, Bakayoko, Giroud
Prediction: Kawasaki Frontale 1-2 Chelsea
In 2018, Kawasaki Frontale became the first team to win back-to-back J-League titles since 2013.
This season, they currently sit third in the standings behind FC Tokyo and Yokohama F. Marinos - four points off the summit but with a game in hand.
Winners of three of their last four matches across all competitions, Toru Oniki's outfit - who boast the likes of Brazilian forward Leandro Damiao - will be eager to cause a shock.
Fitness certainly should not be an issue given that they are in the middle of their domestic season, though Chelsea's superior quality should win out in a close contest.
TV channel and live stream information
The match can be viewed via a live stream on Chelsea's official website or on the 5th Stand app.
Fans in the UK and Ireland can watch all pre-season games via the website for £10.99, while on the app games are available from £1.99 each.
Per Chelsea, each friendly can be purchased from four hours before kick-off.
Standard Sport will also have full coverage of the contest via our live blog.
