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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kick-off: 1630, 12/02/2022
Stadium: Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium
TV: Channel 4
European teams have won the last eight editions of the FIFA Club World Cup and Chelsea can extend that sequence by seeing off Palmeiras.
The Blues were actually the last Champions League victors to taste defeat when going down to Corinthians in 2012 but can finally make amends in Abu Dhabi.
Nine of the past 11 finals have been won to nil, so 2.4 for them to achieve that feat is our first Chelsea vs Palmeiras prediction.
Chelsea were a touch off the pace when edging out a resolute Al Hilal 1-0 in the semis, but there were excuses for that laboured display.
Jet lag and Thomas Tuchel’s continued absence due to Covid isolation played a part, as Kepa Arrizabalaga had to make a couple of excellent saves.
However, Romelu Lukaku made up for spurning several good chances with a gift-wrapped goal which sent the Blues through.
Assistant coach Zsolt Low commented: “We missed a bit of rhythm in this game but we fought hard to get the result and reach the final.
“This competition is very important for the club. The players felt the pressure and that’s why we failed to find the easy solution and score goals.”
Mateo Kovacic has already tasted Club World Cup success twice with Real Madrid and is determined to add to that tally.
“We are desperate to win this trophy,” said the 27-year-old. “We could be the first team in Chelsea history to bring this trophy to London.
“So, we are happy that we are in such a big final and we will do everything to win it on Saturday.”
This promises to be another tight tussle, but 3.3 for the Blues to win and under 2.5 goals to be scored appeals from the Chelsea vs Palmeiras odds.
Palmeiras have also never won the Club World Cup and are often taunted by their Brazilian rivals for that gap on their CV.
The Copa Libertadores champions could only manage fourth place at the last renewal in 2020, when losing 1-0 to Mexico’s UANL in the semis and 3-2 on penalties to Al Ahly in a play-off after a goalless stalemate.
This time around, they made sure of a spot in the decider by beating Al Ahly 2-0, with Raphael Veiga and Dudu netting either side of half-time.
The Big Green will bring around 15,000 supporters to the final and a ferocious atmosphere is anticipated.
Kovacic added: “We’ll need to do a good job again on Saturday because Palmeiras is a great team with very good players; they are aggressive with amazing fans, so it will be a difficult game.”
However, Low insisted: “I expect a big atmosphere but we are used to that from big Champions League games, big finals. We’re prepared for it.”
The Blues may look to ease their way into this game and keep things cagey early on, with the emphasis being on silencing that partisan crowd.
Let’s finish off our Chelsea vs Palmeiras betting tips by taking 4.4 for a draw at half-time and then the English outfit to be ahead after 90 minutes.
Additional stats
Last result:
Al Hilal 0-1 CHELSEA – Romelu Lukaku
PALMEIRAS 2-0 Al Ahly – Raphael Veiga, Dudu
Head-to-head: N/A
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