Club World Cup: Predictions for Friday's games
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Jack Ogalbe
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Enzo Maresca's Chelsea face Flamengo in Group D at the Club World Cup
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea face Flamengo in Group D at the Club World Cup

- Benfica face minnows Auckland City in Orlando
- Chelsea take on a former player when they meet Flamengo in Philadelphia
- LAFC and Tunis know a defeat in Nashville will knock them out
- Two great names meet in Miami as Bayern Munich take on Boca Juniors

Groups C and D are the focus on Friday heading into Saturday as the second round of Club World Cup pool fixtures continue.

Benfica open the play against Auckland City, while LAFC face Esperance de Tunis.

However, the headline ties see Chelsea face Flamengo and Bayern Munich take on Boca Juniors.

Benfica vs Auckland City (Friday, 5pm)

How competitive amateur outfit Auckland City were going to be was one of the great unknowns heading into the Club World Cup but opening Group C opponents Bayern Munich showed little sympathy in outclassing the Navy Blues 10-0 in Cincinnati.

Paul Posa's team now need to regroup for Friday's match in Orlando against Benfica, who scrambled from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Boca Juniors.

Gulf in class aside, Auckland City's downfall had a lot to do with them trying to play from the back and they may need to be smarter in their approach, although Benfica are still expected to have the majority of the ball in baking conditions at Inter&Co Stadium.

The Eagles lack the same glittering attacking options as Bayern but should experience no issues surpassing their opponents and boosting their goal difference in the process.

Score prediction: Benfica 6-0 Auckland City

Flamengo vs Chelsea (Friday, 7pm)

Flamengo boss Filipe Luis goes up against one of his former clubs as a player, Chelsea
Flamengo boss Filipe Luis goes up against one of his former clubs as a player, Chelsea

Flamengo and Chelsea each won their opening Group D games 2-0 and a victory for either will secure progress.

However, with temperatures set to soar in Philadelphia, a draw might not be a bad result under challenging conditions at Lincoln Financial Field.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca may hand recent signing Liam Delap a start after he came off the bench to provide a delicious assist for Enzo Fernandez's clincher on Monday.

Urubu head coach Filipe Luis is a familiar face, having spent a season as a player at Stamford Bridge.

Luis has shown himself to be a shrewd operator, winning three trophies despite being less than a year into his coaching career.

Another former Blue, recent signing Jorginho, should also start and this is the type of game neutrals wanted to see coming into the tournament.

However, in steamy conditions, these two young coaches could cancel each other out but a draw should suit both.

Score prediction: Flamengo 1-1 Chelsea

LAFC vs Esperance de Tunis (Friday, 11pm)

Flamengo and Chelsea's opening wins mean LAFC and Esperance de Tunis have it all to do on Friday.

They meet in Nashville, knowing a defeat will spell elimination, and the Black and Gold should have too much for their Tunisian opponents.

Steve Cherundolo likes to send his team out to attack and with only one of Esperance's last eight matches in all competitions ending with both sides scoring, LAFC can grab a cagey victory.

Score prediction: LAFC 2-0 Esperance de Tunis

Bayern Munich vs Boca Juniors (Saturday, 2am)

Vincent Kompany will demand another big performance from Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany will demand another big performance from Bayern Munich

This is another game that fans have been looking forward to, with Bayern unlikely to produce another 10-0 victory against a battling Boca Juniors in Group C.

Boca will be reeling from letting a 2-0 lead slip in their 2-2 draw with Benfica and will be without Ander Herrera and Nicolas Figal, who were both sent off in Miami.

Jamal Musiala could start for Bayern after scoring a hat-trick off the bench in the opening thrashing of Auckland and boss Vincent Kompany is clearly looking forward to this game, stating: "A traditional club from Europe against a traditional club from South America. It'll be special."

It could be a humdinger at Hard Rock Stadium but the Bavarians should be too good for Boca in Miami.

Score prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1 Boca Juniors

Tags

FIFA Club World CupBenficaAuckland City FCBoca JuniorsBayern MunichFlamengoChelseaEsperanceLos Angeles FC
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