Chelsea vs Monterrey Preview, Team News, Likely Line-up & Predicted Score
Chelsea kick-off their FIFA Club World Cup as they take on CONCACAF Champions League holders Monterrey in Yokohama at 10.30am GMT on Thursday morning.
Interim boss Rafa Benitez will be hoping for a morale-boosting performance after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. The pressure has been on the Spaniard after failing to record a win in his first three games in charge but he silenced disgruntled supporters with an impressive 3-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday.
A major boost for the Blues has been the return to form of striker Fernando Torres, who’s now scored four in his last two games and he will no doubt be hoping to continue that form on Thursday.
Team News
Chelsea will continue to be without the services of captain John Terry and forward Daniel Sturridge after the pair were left back in London to continue their recovery from injury.
Midfielder Oriol Romeu is also missing after being ruled out for six months with a serious knee injury. However, Frank Lampard is set to start after recovering from a calf problem thats kept him out for over two months. Lampard is expected to start alongside Mikel, who’s available as his three-match ban doesn’t apply in this competition, so Ramires is expected to make way.
Victor Moses may continue in attack in place of Oscar after his impressive form of late.
Likely Line-up
Predicted Score
Premier League giants and UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea will be firm favourites for this game. While Monterrey will no doubt be up for the fight against their more glamorous counter-parts, we can’t see past a Blues win. Chelsea 2-0 Monterrey.
What would your line-up be and whats your score prediction? Get involved in the comments section below.
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Akan
December 13, 2012 at 5:39 am
Let it be,cech,iva.cahil,luiz,cole.rammy,mikel.hazard,oscar,mata and torres upfront.
ramsey
December 13, 2012 at 6:11 am
Cech, cesar,ivan,cahill,cole ramires,luiz, marin,mata,hazard, torres
shadrack
December 13, 2012 at 9:51 am
CHELSEA,cech,iva,luiz,cole,lamps,ramires,haza,mata,piazon,torres
James kehinde
December 13, 2012 at 6:17 am
Chelsea 3-0 monterry.let it b cech,ashlycole,cahil,david luis,invanovic,mikel,lampard,oscar,victor moses,hazard,torres.
abdulazeez adamu
December 13, 2012 at 6:34 am
let it b like dis
cech
cesar ivanovic luiz cole
ramires lampard
moses hazard
mata
torres
da blues
December 13, 2012 at 7:07 am
i will be happy to see oscar mata and Hazard playing together let it be cech,ivanovic,cole,luiz,cahill,mikel,lampard, oscar mata,hazard then torres
Ayeni olusegun
December 13, 2012 at 7:17 am
Maring shd start 2day game
Samaila dado
December 13, 2012 at 7:40 am
I think chelsea will win just bcos the are out of uefa champ league.
Samaila dado
December 13, 2012 at 7:45 am
I like cech,luiz,cahill,azpillicuta,cole,rammy,mikel,hazard,mata,oscar,moses
Chibuike Saviour
December 13, 2012 at 8:20 am
Chelsea 2. Winning playing with cech, invanovic, luiz, cahil, cole, mata, mikel, lamp8d, ramires, hazard, tores upfront
Emmanuel
December 13, 2012 at 8:53 am
Emmanuel;I wat cech,ivanovic,luiz,cahill,cole,mikel,lampard,ramires,mata,hazard ‘n’Torres upfront
Emmanuel
December 13, 2012 at 8:55 am
Emmanuel;I wat cech,ivanovic,luiz,cahill,cole,mikel,lampard,ramires,mata,hazard ‘n’Torres upfront.scoreline chelsea 3-0 monterrey
Emmanuel
December 13, 2012 at 9:03 am
I wat 2goals from Torrez ‘n’oscar
kelly
December 13, 2012 at 9:50 am
i want 2goals from torres i lv torres
Dakman
December 13, 2012 at 10:04 am
Cech,cesar,ivanovic,luiz,cole,lamps,rammi,óscar,hazard,mata,torres….5-0
Aliu
December 13, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Chelsea has won. Up blues