The match kicks off at 2am UK time in the early hours of Wednesday morning back at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, previously the setting for the 10-man Blues’ 3-1 setback against Flamengo, who are now guaranteed to win Group D with that result.

Esperance hail from the Tunisian capital Tunis, ancient home of Hannibal, who took on and beat the Roman Empire, so they know what it takes to climb mountains and win against the odds. After opening with a 2-0 loss to Flamengo, Esperance eliminated LAFC with a 1-0 victory in their second game on Saturday.

Second and third are the only group positions yet to be confirmed and a draw would be enough for the Blues to finish above the African side on goal difference, and a win in Philly would help restore confidence.

Both sides will have regular starting forwards missing through suspension - Nicolas Jackson for us and Youcef Belaili for the Tunisians.

The final Group C game between leaders Bayern Munich and second-placed Benfica will finish around two hours before the start of this match, so Enzo Maresca and his players will be aware who they will face should they progress.

The history

Chelsea have never previously encountered a Tunisian side but, between 19 and 27 May 1951, Ted Drake’s touring Blues played four fixtures in neighbouring North African country Algeria.

In celebration of the local football league’s 30th anniversary, an all-star team from the capital Algiers provided the Londoners’ opening opposition, Ken Armstrong and homegrown teenager Bobby Smith finding the net in a 2-1 win.

A week later Drake’s side moved along the coast to Oran, to face a combination team from the port city, drawing 0-0.

2025 FIFA Club World Cup regulations

The last group matches are now being played. The top two finishers in each group qualify for a round of 16 in the knockout stages.

Clubs can name a matchday squad of 26 players, comprising 11 starters and 15 substitutes, including two goalkeepers. Five replacements are allowed per match.

Goal-line technology, VAR and a new advanced semi-automated offside system, alerting assistant referees to raise their flag immediately for clear offsides, will be used in this competition.

Players who accumulate two cautions must serve a one-match suspension. Chelsea have six booked players: Tosin Adarabioyo, Moises Caicedo, Liam Delap, Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Pedro Neto. Single yellow cards will be cancelled after the quarter-finals.

Know this...

Pedro Neto is now the all-time joint leading scorer for the Blues in Club World Cup tournaments, alongside 2021/22 winner Romelu Lukaku. After finding the net against LAFC and Flamengo, the Portugal winger has scored in successive outings for the Blues for the first time.

All-time Club World Cup goal scorers

Romelu Lukaku - 2
Pedro Neto - 2
Enzo Fernandez - 1
Kai Havertz - 1
Juan Mata - 1
Fernando Torres - 1
Own goal - 1