Chelsea vs LAFC Tips and Preview
15th June 2025
Chelsea kick off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the baking 30°C heat of Atlanta on Monday evening (BST), as they face Los Angeles FC. The London club will come up against former foe Hugo Lloris and old friend Olivier Giroud. Despite the challenging conditions, Chelsea are strong favourites to assert their quality and set the tone for the tournament from the start. Let’s have a look at the form and find the best Chelsea vs LAFC Tips.
Benchmarking the Clash: Premier League vs. MLS
With no head-to-head history between Chelsea and the decade-old Major League Soccer side, and no precedent for a competitive Premier League vs MLS clash, it’s difficult to benchmark the clear gap between the two leagues. Still, the disparity in quality is hard to ignore, and sticking to a pro-Chelsea angle is the logical approach—especially with the Blues shaping up as potential dark horses in this newly formatted Club World Cup, with a potential second-round meeting against either Benfica or Boca Juniors, and then a likely quarter-final clash against PSG or Atlético Madrid. The early part of the tournament may carry pre-season vibes, but if new signing Liam Delap can hit the ground running, Chelsea could prove a serious threat.
Statistical Projections Favor Chelsea
With no previous matches to go off, Statz.ai’s projections offer insight into what to expect from the game. The numbers heavily favour the Londoners, as you’d expect—Chelsea are projected for 2.31 goals to LAFC’s 0.77, to fire off 17.63 shots to 7.92, and earn 7.69 corners compared to the Black and Gold’s 2.89. The gulf in attacking output is expected to be stark, reflecting the clear gap in overall quality.
Referee Valenzuela: A Potential Factor
Another angle to focus on could be referee Jesús Valenzuela from Venezuela, who is averaging over five cards per game this season in his domestic league and could play a key role, given the difference in quality between the two teams. LAFC could commit nearly twice as many fouls in the game (16) compared to Chelsea’s 9.14. Expect frustration from the American side as they chase Chelsea’s faster, more technically gifted players in the soaring heat.
Left Flank Focus: Fouls and Bookings
Chelsea’s left flank could be a key zone for fouls drawn and bookings. Marc Cucurella, Pedro Neto, and Cole Palmer are projected to draw 1.6, 1.51, and 1.69 fouls respectively, while LAFC’s right-back Sergi Palencia has averaged 2.33 fouls committed over his last ten MLS games and is projected for 2.52 here. Right-sided midfielder Timothy Tillman also ranks high at 1.74, making both players likely targets—and potential yellow card candidates.
Player Watch: Liam Delap’s Potential Debut
In terms of the best Chelsea vs LAFC Tips; watching out for team news could be important, with a possible debut for Liam Delap opening up the possibility of adding him @1/1 (Bet365) for 2+ shots on target to a player bet builder. Given Delap averaged 0.84 shots on target for a struggling Ipswich last term, already has a relationship with Enzo Maresca, and the desire to impress off the back of that 30 million pound move.