Prediction & Betting Tips | Club World Cup: Fluminense vs Chelsea

Match: FIFA Club World Cup

Teams: Fluminense vs Chelsea

Local Kick-off Time: 15:00 EDT on July 8

Venue: MetLife Stadium, New York

Referee: François Letexier (France)

Assistant Referees: Cyrille Bayala M'Vila (France), Mehdi Rahmouni (France)

Fourth Official: Iván Barton (El Salvador)

Brief Analysis of Both Teams' Strengths

Fluminense have been exceptional in this year’s Club World Cup, remaining unbeaten with 3 wins and 2 draws in 5 matches. They eliminated Inter Milan and kept a clean sheet against Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, boasting impressive defensive solidity. As a typical representative of South American technical football, they excel at defensive counter-attacks, with strong midfield control, precise passing, and potent wing penetration.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have grown highly accustomed to facing South American teams, having primarily encountered clubs from the Americas in their half of the draw. In the group stage, they defeated Los Angeles and Esperance de Tunis but lost to Flamengo—a setback that fortuitously allowed them to avoid the stronger teams in the lower half of the bracket. Now, they are set to face Fluminense, their third Brazilian Serie A opponent in this tournament, and the team is ready to strike.

Handicap Prediction

Asian Handicap: Chelsea -0.75

European Odds: Away Win

Predicted Scores: 1-2, 1-3, 2-3

Betting Data Trends

Major Asian bookmakers opened with an initial Asian Handicap of Chelsea -0.75. In European odds, the initial figures were 4.30-3.65-1.74, with the current temporary odds standing at 5.7-3.60-1.67—support for Chelsea continues to rise, and their odds are steadily dropping. The Asian Handicap for this match is similar to that of Chelsea’s first encounter with Flamengo, though in that game, Chelsea squandered a lead to lose. However, after facing multiple South American teams recently, Chelsea are expected to handle this fixture more adeptly under the same handicap.

Expected Total Goals: 3, 4, 5

Betting Data Trends: Major Asian bookmakers initially set an over/under line of 2.5 goals for this match, which has since dropped to 2.25. This adjustment may influence punters’ choices, but odds for the over 2.25 line are continuing to fall, suggesting a potential return to 2.5 goals by kick-off. Given both teams’ recent form and playing styles—neither is conservative, and most of their matches see 3+ goals—a high-scoring affair is likely.

Expected Corner Kicks: Over 9.5

Corner Analysis: Fluminense deploy a 5-4-1 low block with rapid counter attacks, typically holding less than 40% possession but thriving on set pieces (35% of goals from set plays). Chelsea, using a 4-2-3-1 system focused on possession and wing attacks, rely on the creativity of Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández in midfield, with counter-attacking speed ranking among the top three in the Premier League. Both teams’ tactical styles heavily depend on set pieces, making a high number of corners probable.