Although results are important at this stage, Enzo Maresca will love to oversee a win in Chelsea's third game. their pre-season tour against Club America.
The Italian's season has not yet reached its peak in the United States when Celtic put the Blues to the sword in Indiana. While Chelsea were able to create a number of chances of their own, Maresca's side were unhelpfully exposed in transition and guilty of making mistakes in the build-up in a 4-1 defeat.
Their journey started with a 2-2 draw against League One Wrexham, who they beat 5-0 in the pre-season.
Chelsea take on Club America's newly-started Apertura in Liga MX. The Mexican outfit endured a mixed start to the 2024 campaign, winning two of their first four league games, but secured their first Supercopa title in June after beating Tigres 2-1.
Here it is 90 min guide to Chelsea's upcoming friendly match against Club America.
Chelsea vs Club America H2H record
Chelsea and Club America have never met in a competitive match.
Current form (all competitions)
|
Chelsea |
Club America |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea 1-4 Celtic – 27/07/24 |
Juarez 1-2 Club America – 21/07/24 |
|
Chelsea 2-2 Wrexham – 25/07/24 |
Tigres 1-0 Club America – 18/07/24 |
|
Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth – 19/05/24 |
Club America 3-1 Queretaro – 13/07/24 |
|
Brighton 1-2 Chelsea – 15/05/24 |
San Luis 2-1 Club America – 07/07/24 |
|
Nottingham Forest 2-3 Chelsea – 11/05/24 |
Club America 2-1 Tigres – 30/06/24 |
|
The country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
chelsea.com (subscription required) |
|
United States |
ESPN+, fuboTV, ESPN App, TUDN.com, TUDN App, ESPN Deportes, TUDN USA, chelsea.com |
|
Canada |
chelsea.com (subscription required) |
Chelsea have offered extra breaks to the Euro 2024 finalists, so Maresca is still without Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella and Conor Gallagher – who are likely to head to Atletico Madrid.
Maresca used Reece James at right back and the Englishman would retake that game with Malo Gusto working down the right touchline and Noni Madueke driving.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Guiu could both be included in the Italian's starting XI with the new arrivals offering glimmers as Chelsea open the two-game tour.
Trevoh Chalobah and Romelu Lukaku are among the senior players who did not go to the States.
Chelsea predicted to face Club America (3-4-2-1): Sánchez; Adarabioyo, Fofana, Colwill; Gusto, James, Lavia, Chilwell; Madueke, Sterling; Guiu.
The Mexican team will be without several players due to injuries.
Alex Zendejas and Kevin Alvarez are expected to return from their problems next month, while Jorge Mere will be sidelined for some time after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. Diego Valdes may recover in time for this friendly.
Dutch winger Javairo Dilrosun is perhaps the most familiar name to make his Club America debut in the country.
Club America predicted to face Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Malagon; Espinoza Acosta, Araujo, Lichnovsky, Calderon; R. Sanchez, Dos Santos; Dilrosun, Fidalgo, E. Sanchez; Martin.
Chelsea's journey has not been successful so far and their defeat to Celtic would undoubtedly have raised a few concerns given the ease with which the Blues' backline was breached by the bottom team.
Maresca's side showed confidence in playing the ball and were able to create chances against Celtic, but the situation needs to be improved to ensure they don't break down further on the counter. Club America, as they did in the Supercopa final, will be happy to contain and jump.
There should be goals in Atlanta, where Chelsea need to work hard to secure a good result.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Club America
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