FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | Group D: Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC | Preview and Prediction

This Group D game of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will see Chelsea take on Los Angeles FC, as the two sides kick off their campaigns.

Here are our preview and prediction for the game.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | Group D: Chelsea FC vs Los Angeles FC | 00:30 IST, June 17

Chelsea enter this tournament on the back of a fairly positive run of form. They managed to secure UEFA Champions League football courtesy of a top-four finish in the Premier League, in what was head coach Enzo Maresca’s first season in charge. To add more gloss to the season, they won the UEFA Europa Conference League last month, beating Real Betis to become the first European club to win all three major continental tournaments offered by UEFA.

The Blues are a side full of young and burgeoning stars looking to make a further impact following their league and continental exploits. The likes of Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernández, and Reece James will look to build on their recent positive performances with the aim of adding another trophy to their collection.

Chelsea will rely on the creativity and genius of Palmer, who despite a comparatively lean season is their biggest attacking threat. Fernández will be looking to continue his good form that has seen him become a much more well-rounded player compared to when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge.

For Los Angeles FC, qualifying for the tournament was a long and late journey. They had to beat Mexican side Club América in a one-off play-off game following the expulsion of another Mexican side, Club León, from the tournament for failing to comply with FIFA regulations.

As far as LAFC’s domestic form is concerned, they’re currently fifth in the Major League Soccer Western Conference table, though they’ve been unbeaten in their last nine matches, albeit with five draws in that run. 

The Black and Gold have some experienced players in their ranks. World Cup winners Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud are expected to lead their charge in this tournament. For Giroud, this game will also mark a face-off against the club with whom he won the FA Cup, the UEL, and the UCL.

Apart from the two Frenchmen, LAFC will rely on the skill and playmaking of Gabonese veteran Denis Bouanga, who has already registered eight goals and four assists in the ongoing MLS season. 

While there is a considerable amount of quality and promise in the LAFC line-up to cause a few jitters to Chelsea, it is hard to look past a Blues win in this fixture.

Score Prediction: Chelsea 3–1 LAFC
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia