Chelsea vs. LAFC: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

LAFC make their FIFA Club World Cup bow when they take on 2021 winners Chelsea in a Group D tie in Atlanta.

The MLS giants were the last team to qualify for the competition and will need to be at their very best to fend off the recently-crowned UEFA Conference League winners.

Chelsea vs. LAFC betting picks and predictions

Both Teams to Score in 2nd Half (+275)

Chelsea and LAFC meet in a Group D opener in Atlanta which promises goals.

The third MLS team to go to post this summer will be hoping for better luck than stable-mates Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders, neither of whom triumphed over the weekend.

And the Californian powers know that a positive outlook has to be the way to go against an in-form Chelsea.

Steve Cherundolo's boys, back-door entrants to the FIFA party following Leon's rebuttal, are full of goals, full of confidence and desperate to send their likeable head coach off to a new career in Germany with a statement tournament.

There would be no better statement than beating 2021 winners Chelsea and they have the tools to hurt Enzo Maresca's Premier League powers.

Chelsea old boy Olivier Giroud, now 38, perhaps isn't one of those - though he is still scoring occasional goals on the West Coast - but ex-Saint Etienne ace Denis Bouanga has eight in 15 in the MLS this term coming in off the left flank.

Cherundolo sets his side up to be positive and it's perhaps no surprise they have scored 22 goals in their last nine in MLS, knocking in at least two goals in each of them.

They are probably going to have to get something against either Chelsea or Flamengo to have a hope of going through, and they will be positive in conditions they know.

Chelsea, no doubt delighted that the Mercedes-Benz Arena has been transformed into a grass playing surface, have to be full of confidence.

Maresca's squad has arrived from all over the world following the international break and it has been a marathon season for the Londoners, culminating in their 4-1 thrashing of Betis to win the UEFA Conference League three weeks ago.

The sight of former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris between the LA sticks will be a familiar one for most of the Chelsea team, which is likely to be a strong one.

Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke are expected to start, with Liam Delap looking forward to a competitive debut off the bench, and Chelsea's big-hitters should be too good for their opponents.

However, a -550 90-minute price would test your bravery and look instead at some of the goal markets with an open contest producing at least one goal at either end in the second period.

Igor Jesus Over 1.5 Fouls Committed (+175)

LAFC are in decent form domestically and on a high after qualifying for this tournament, but this is a step up in class from their day-to-day soccer.

Their defense is highly regarded but will be fully tested by Maresca's UEFA Champions League qualifiers.

With Chelsea bound to dominate possession stats and LAFC playing with their back to goal for long periods, the Americans are going to need to put in the tackles, and with that runs the risk of racking up fouls.

Igor Jesus, the linchpin of their midfield, will be a busy man.

The Brazilian averages 2.3 tackles and 0.9 fouls per game in the MLS but this is a different level of opposition and those numbers should soar.

Sergi Palencia to be booked (+162)

One of the first names on Cherundolo's team sheet is Spanish right-back Sergi Palencia, who can expect a proper work-out against Chelsea's wide fliers.

The 29-year-old has been booked four times in 16 MLS outings for his club side this season and also in the 2-1 win over Club America in the tie which earned them their place in the tournament.

He is aggressive in his style and will be tested defensively, and it would be no surprise if he doesn't cross a line and find himself booked.

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Chelsea vs. LAFC odds

Chelsea	-550
Tie	+550
LAFC	+1400

Chelsea vs. LAFC player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Cole Palmer (Che)	-150
Liam Delap (Che)	-110
Nicolas Jackson (Che)	-110
Denis Bouanga (LA)	+300
Olivier Giroud (LA)	+450
Jeremy Ebobisse (LA)	+500

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.