LAFC vs. Esperance de Tunis lineups, team news, score prediction: MLS side's best chance for Club World Cup points

Two clubs desperate for points in their Club World Cup group battle for their lives as LAFC meet Esperance de Tunis in Nashville on Friday.

Both sides suffered 2-0 defeats in their Group D openers, with LAFC beaten by Premier League side Chelsea and Esperance falling to Brazilian giants Flamengo.

That leaves both clubs in dire straights, as defeat here would leave their knockout stage aspirations in shambles. However, three points would give them at least a chance of qualifying, even if it would require an upset in their final group match.

The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.

MORE: Full rosters for all 32 teams at the 2025 Club World Cup

LAFC vs. Esperance predicted lineups, team news

Head coach Steve Cherundolo has some decisions to make ahead of this game. Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has largely come off the bench as he navigates the twilight of his career at 38 years old, but he is in line for a start as Jeremy Ebobisse has only scored three goals this season for the club.

World Cup winner Hugo Lloris is the team's starting goalkeeper for the second straight season, but there are some big changes in the squad after LAFC majorly revamped their roster this offseason. They shed longtime veterans Carlos Vela, Ilie Sanchez, Mateusz Bogusz, Cristian Olivera, and Jesus Murillo while ushering in new faces like Igor Jesus, Mark Delgado (from rivals LA Galaxy in a rare derby swap), Marlon, Yaw Yeboah, Frankie Amaya, and Ebobisse.

Winger Nathan Ordaz left the opener against Chelsea in the first half with a concussion and will have to pass protocol before returning to action.

LAFC starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Lloris (GK) — 14. Palencia, 4. Segura, 33. Long, 24. Hollingshead — 8. Delgado, 6. Jesus, 11. T. Tillman — 30. D Martinez, 9. Giroud, 99. Bouanga.

Injured: None.
Suspended: None.
On a yellow card: None. 

Full LAFC squad

Goalkeepers: Cabral Carter, Thomas Hasal, Hugo Lloris, David Ochoa.

Defenders: Lorenzo Dellavalle, Maxime Chanot, Ryan Hollingshead, Aaron Long, Marlon, Kenny Nielsen, Sergi Palencia, Ryan Raposo, Eddie Segura, Artem Smoliakov, Nkosi Tafari.

Midfielders: Frankie Amaya, Marky Delgado, Matt Evans, Odin Holm, Igor Jesus, Adam Saldana, Jude Terry, Timothy Tillman, Yaw Yeboah.

Forwards: Denis Bouanga, Javairo Dilrosun, Jeremy Ebobisse, Olivier Giroud, David Martinez, Nathan Ordaz, Adrian Wibowo.

Esperance head coach Maher Kanzari could consider changes to his starting lineup from the side that fell 2-0 to Flamengo in their opening match. He made two halftime changes in that game, and could turn to either Abdramane Konate or Elias Mokwana who came on and played well in midfield.

They are missing defensive midfielder Roger Ahoulou who finished the season with a muscle injury and was not included on the team's roster for the Club World Cup.

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

Esperance de Tunis starting XI (3-4-3, right to left): 32. Ben Said (GK) — 2. Ben Ali, 15. Tougai, 5. Meriah, 20. Ben Hamida — 38. Guenichi, 14. Ogbelu — 24. Mokwana, 11. Belaili, 21. Konate — 9. Rodrigues.

Injured: None.
Suspended: None.
On a yellow card: Tougal, Guenichi, Ben Ali, Belaili.

Full Esperance 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

LAFC vs. Esperance de Tunis score prediction

LAFC played quite well against Chelsea, with MLS clubs competing at a high level so far through the Club World Cup. Unfortunately, like LAFC, the MLS clubs have nothing to show for their impressive showings to this point, suffering defeat all around.

Steve Cherundolo's side is well constructed, even if not quite as dominant domestically as they have been, and they should manage to secure a hard-fought victory in this match.

Prediction: LAFC 1-0 Esperance de Tunis

How to watch LAFC vs. Esperance de Tunis: Live stream, TV channel

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