ES Tunis vs. Chelsea starting lineups, team news, score prediction: Nkunku in contention amid Man United links

Chelsea have their fate in their own hands heading into the final round of Group D games at rhe FIFA Club World Cup.

Enzo Maresca's side were beaten 3-1 by Flamengo last time out and head into their the clash with ES Tunis in Philadelphia level on points with their Tunisian opponents.

ES Tunis followed Chelsea in taking three points off the now-eliminated LAFC, but a superior goal difference means the Premier League team will progress with a draw.

Both sides will have to reckon with temperatures that are set to scale 100°F at Lincoln Financial Field.

MORE: The entire 2025 Club World Cup match schedule & results

ES Tunis vs. Chelsea starting lineups, team news

Esperance boss Maher Kanzari could stick with the same XI that saw off LAFC.

Veteran attacker Youcef Belaili scored the decisive goal against the MLS outfit and will again enjoy a free role in support of Rodrigo Rodrigues.

Goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said was the hero when he saved Denis Bouanga's penalty deep into stoppage time. The 30-year-old Tunisia international should expect to get through plenty more work in this one.

ES Tunis predicted starting lineup (4-4-1-1): Ben Said (GK) — Ben Ali, Tougai, Meriah, Ben Hamida — Mokwana, Guenichi, Ogbelu, Konate — Belaili — Rodrigo

Injured: None
Suspended: None

MORE: Full list of players, squads for all 32 Club World Cup participants

Full ES Tunis squad

Goalkeepers: Bechir Ben Said, Moktar Ifaoui, Amenallah Memiche, Mohamed Sedki Debchi

Defenders: Youcef Belaili, Mohamed Benali, Khalil Guenichi, Abdramane Konate, Onuche Ogbelu, Zakaria El Ayeb, Yan Sasse, Houssem Tka, Mohamed Wael Derbali

Midfielders: Mohamed Amine Ben Hmida, Mohamed Amine Tougai, Ayman Ben Mohamed, Elyas Bouzaiene, Raed Bouchniba, Hamza Jelassi, Aziz Koudhai, Yassine Meriah, Koussay Smiri

Forwards: Haithem Dhaou, Aboubacar Diakte, Achraf Jabri, Chiheb Jbeli, Zineddine Kada, Koussay Maacha, Elias Mokwana, Mohamed Mouhli, Mohamed Rayen Hamrouni, Rodrigo Rodrigues

Despite the fact that defeat would mean elimination, Maresca has pledged to rotate his line-up, having remarked that the heat in Philadelphia made training "impossible".

This could mean a start for Christopher Nkunku, despite reports linking the French forward with a move to Manchester United that could see Alejandro Garnacho move in the other direction.

"Christo is with us. He's our player. He's doing very well in the last four, five days," Maresca said. For sure, tomorrow we are going to do rotation. We'll see if there is any chance for the ones that are not playing a lot."

Nicolas Jackson is suspended following his reckless red card against Flamengo. Reece James and Levi Colwill have each suffered with illness, although Colwill returned to what training was possible on Monday.

Chelsea predicted starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez (GK) — Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella — Fernandez, Caicedo — Madueke, Palmer, Neto — Nkunku

Injured: Fofana (muscle), Kellyman (hamstring), James (illness, doubt), Colwill (illness (doubt)
Suspended: Jackson (red card) Mudryk (doping violation)

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.

ES Tunis vs. Chelsea score prediction

Despite the sapping nature of their second-half collapse against Flamengo, Chelsea have experience of getting the job done when it matters this season.

Think of their final-day win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League to secure a Champions League place. It might not be pretty, but they'll get the job done.

Prediction: ES Tunis 0-2 Chelsea

ES Tunis vs. Chelsea live stream, TV channel

All matches across the entirety of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be streamed for free on DAZN across the globe. In addition, some matches may be televised in certain regions as per DAZN's deals with local networks and services.

Here's how to watch this 2025 Club World Cup group stage match across selected areas of the world's major regions: