Chelsea vs. PSG lineups, team news, score prediction: Lavia, Caicedo doubts for Club World Cup final

Thirty-two teams began and only two remain as Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain clash for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium on Sunday in the shadow of New York City.

The reigning UEFA Champions League winners have retained their world-class level of play that saw them lift the European title, blitzing everyone in their path, most recently pummeling Real Madrid 4-0 in the semifinals on Wednesday.

Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembele has another chance to bolster his resume for this year's top individual honour, after scoring in both the quarterfinals and semifinals. Yet this PSG team is propped up by more than just a single star, as Luis Enrique has his side humming.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are hoping to continue their ascent on a global stage under Enzo Maresca. They won the UEFA Conference League and qualified for the Champions League with a fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season, and a Club World Cup title via victory over the defending European champions would mark a massive statement of intent for the coming campaign.

MORE: PSG midfield, helmed by Vitinha, has the chance to be remembers as an all-time great unit

Chelsea vs. PSG predicted lineups, team news

Nicolas Jackson has not started since returning from his red card, stuck behind semifinal hero Joao Pedro and new signing Liam Delap up front. Joao Pedro scored a pair against Fluminense in his first start for Chelsea and could be the choice again here, although Enzo Maresca interestingly singled out his effectiveness against a low block, which they will not face against PSG. Delap will be available after missing the semifinals due to yellow card suspension, as will defender Levi Colwill.

The status of midfielders Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo is up in the air. Lavia was absent from team training on Friday after missing the semifinals, while Caicedo trained on his own. Lavia's status is a true concern, but Caicedo may have just been given a maintenance day and is more likely to take part.

Noni Madueke is no longer with the team, Maresca confirmed ahead of the match, as he is nearing a move to Arsenal. Benoit Badiashile was spotted on crutches after the quarterfinal victory over Palmeiras and is almost certainly out.

Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella — E. Fernandez, Caicedo — Neto, Nkunku, Palmer — Joao Pedro.

Injured: Lavia (muscle, doubt), James (muscle, doubt), W. Fofana (muscle), Kellyman (hamstring), Badiashile (leg).
Suspended: None.

Full Chelsea squad

Goalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Robert Sanchez, Gaga Slonina

Defenders: Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Mamadou Sarr

Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos

Forwards: Liam Delap, Marc Guiu, Tyrique George, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro.

PSG will be without defenders Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez after each received two-game bans for their red cards against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals. Lucas Beraldo was fantastic in place of Pacho against Real Madrid in the semifinal and will likely get another start.

Star forward Ousmane Dembele made his first start in the semifinals after returning from a thigh injury, scoring PSG's second goal against Real Madrid. Bradley Barcola will likely continue in his regular substitute role off the bench.

Otherwise, PSG have their full list of regulars available for action, a boon for the Champions League winners who have steamrolled their competition throughout this season.

PSG predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Donnarumma (GK) — Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes — Neves, Vitinha, F. Ruiz — Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.

Injured: None.
Suspended: Pacho (red card), L. Hernandez (red card).

Full PSG squad

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Lucas Lavallee, Matvei Safonov, Arnau Tenas.

Defenders: Lucas Beraldo, Naoufel El Hannach, Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Hernandez, Noham Kamara, Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Yoram Zague.

Midfielders: Lee Kang-in, Senny Mayulu, Gabriel Moscardo, Joao Neves Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Warren Zaire-Emery.

Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ibrahim Mbaye, Goncalo Ramos.

Chelsea vs. PSG score prediction

Chelsea have impressed at the Club World Cup, of that there's no doubt, but Enzo Maresca's side are likely to meet their downfall at the final step.

As Maresca has repeated over the weekend, PSG are indeed the best team in the world. No team sports fewer weaknesses than the French giants, who have been carefully chiselled by Luis Enrique into the most complete team of them all.

Whichever direction they turn, there's no way through for Chelsea in this match, and PSG will find themselves not just champions of Europe but champions of the world.

Prediction: Chelsea 0-3 PSG

How to watch Chelsea vs. PSG: Live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final across selected areas of the world's major regions: