Palmeiras v Chelsea: Line-ups, stats and preview

Palmeiras v Chelsea match preview

Captain Reece James is hoping for no more weather interruptions when Chelsea face Palmeiras in the Club World Cup quarter-finals in Philadelphia on Saturday.

Holding a 1-0 lead, James and his team-mates faced a delay of almost two hours during the second half of their last-16 game against Benfica in Charlotte last Saturday, conceding a 95th-minute equaliser before prevailing 4-1 in extra time.

“It wasn’t probably the most difficult [game] for 85 minutes and then we had to sit and wait for I don’t know how long,” wideman James said afterwards.

“It took a lot out of the players. We cooled down and it was quite disruptive when you’re in the flow of the game. We needed to restart the engine.

“[Palmeiras have] amazing players and a good side. We have confidence in what our goals are going into the game – how we want to play, our structure, defensively and offensively.

“That’s more important to us. [If] we have our structure right, we’ll achieve what we want to achieve.”

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Palmeiras also required extra time game against Botafogo in Philadelphia, where Paulinho’s 40-minute cameo featured the 100th-minute winner before the substitute himself was replaced.

“It’s a challenge for us, as a team and coach, to be better,” said manager Abel Ferreira, whose players have kept three clean sheets in four matches.

“We want to learn from past mistakes. But now we’re in the present and we’re going to fight until the end. We’re going to keep going like this.

“We played an incredible game [against Botafogo]. In the 90 minutes and extra time, we did very well. We worked hard and we deserved it.”

While Chelsea finished fourth in last season’s Premier League, Palmeiras are currently in the same position in Brazil’s Serie A, two points behind leaders Flamengo.

The 12-time Brazilian and three-time South American champions are training at the base of NFL team the Philadelphia Eagles.

Palmeiras v Chelsea team news

Despite only starting one game at the tournament, Paulinho has scored two of Palmeiras’s goals as the former Brazil international deals with a leg injury that kept him out for more than four months from December 2024.

The 24-year-old will have a shin graft after the Club World Cup and trained for the first time this week on Wednesday.

“The coach is doing everything he can to make me feel part of the group at this difficult time for me, as I am coming off a serious injury,” Paulinho said, via Globo.

Centre-back Bruno Fuchs called Paulinho “a star” and suggested the squad will be “grateful” if he can play a part in the quarter-final, while left-back Vanderlan said the group are providing support.

“It’s a very different situation,” observed Vanderlan. “I’ve never seen this in football, but Paulinho is a very important player for us. He’s taking good care and treating himself well.”

Uruguay left-back or midfielder Joaquin Piquerez has recovered from flu but is suspended, as is centre-back Gustavo Gomez because the Paraguay captain was sent off in the 116th minute of the win over Botafogo.

Ferreira’s defensive concerns have deepened with an injury to Murilo, but winger Estevao could have extra incentive to impress because the 18-year-old is joining Chelsea after the tournament.

Chelsea could give a debut to Brazil forward Joao Pedro, who has joined the squad after signing from Brighton & Hove Albion for £60 million.

Manager Enzo Maresca’s greatest concern is arguably the absence of midfielder Moises Caicedo through suspension, but striker Nicolas Jackson is available following a ban.

Defender Wesley Fofana remains out with a long-term thigh injury and centre-back Benoit Badiashile suffered an issue against Benfica.

18-year-old midfielder Kendry Paez, who is expected to join Strasbourg on loan, is not in the squad. Winger Mykhailo Mudryk has not played since November and was announced in December to have tested positive for a banned substance.

Palmeiras v Chelsea expected line-ups

Palmeiras starting XI: Weverton; Giay, Bruno Fuchs, Micael, Vanderlan; Emiliano Martinez, Richard Rios, Mauricio; Estevao, Allan, Vitor Roque

Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; James, Lavia; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Delap

How to watch Palmeiras v Chelsea: TV and online streams

Kick-off on Saturday is at 02:00 BST, with live coverage on DAZN.

DAZN subscribers or Freemium member can tune in as part of their existing membership, while non-subscribers can register for a free account to start watching.

Fans can watch on the go via the DAZN App on smart TVs, phones, tablets, games consoles and streaming devices.