FIFA Club World Cup: Chelsea vs. Leon Picks — EPL Giants to Overpower Mexican Rivals? (Jun 16)

Enzo Maresca enjoyed an excellent first season at Stamford Bridge after leading Chelsea back into the Champions League and winning the Europa Conference League.

The Blues will be widely expected to progress from Group D at the new-look FIFA Club World Cup, and their opening night assignment will see them take on Leon.

Their case for victory is only made stronger based on the fact that Leon have suffered defeats in each of their last three matches in Liga MX.

Chelsea vs. Leon Overview

Odds

Chelsea vs. Leon Head-to-Head Record

Chelsea and Club Leon will be colliding for the first time in a competitive fixture on Monday.

Key Stats

• Chelsea previously won the FIFA Club World Cup in 2022, becoming just the third English team to win the honor.
• Leon won the CONCACAF Champions League in 2023, marking a successful spell for the club, which also included victories in the 2021 Leagues Cup and 2020 Guardianes.

Chelsea Team News

Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix have both been axed from the travelling squad for Chelsea. However, new signings Liam Delap and Mamadou Sarr could be handed first starts in Atlanta on Monday.

Possible Lineup

D. Sanchez (GK); R. James, T. Chalobah, L. Colwill, M. Cucurella, M. Caicedo, E. Fernandez, P. Neto, C. Palmer, N. Madueke, L. Delap

Leon Team News

Leon will only be without one first-team star for their opening match in the U.S. on Monday. Federico Vinas is unlikely to feature at the competition due to a knee injury.

Possible Lineup

A. Blanco (GK); E. Guerra, J. Barreiro, R. Echeverria, S. Reyes, A. Guardado, N. Fonseca, I. Moreno, J. Rodriguez, S. Mendoza, J. Cadiz

Chelsea vs. Leon Picks

Leon’s form heading into this summer’s Club World Cup raises huge concerns, but their versatility and dynamism in the final third could cause Chelsea issues.

However, the Blues have been improving at a rapid rate under Maresca, and the addition of Delap adds a fresh input to their attacking line. The Premier League club look to be the standout pick on matchday one.