Fluminense vs Chelsea picks from SBR's Gary Pearson for their Club World Cup semifinal match on Tuesday, July 8th:
Fluminense vs. Chelsea prediction: Fluminense to advance (+250 via FanDuel)
"Every so often, a team comes together for a major tournament and defies the odds, with everything falling into place seemingly effortlessly. I recall Greece's performance in the European Championships 21 years ago, representing one of the best underdog stories at a major tournament.
That Greece team needed dogged defending, well-planned and almost perfectly executed game plans, superb goalkeeping, ruthless attacking, an unparalleled feel-good factor and good fortune—Fluminense checks all of those boxes and then some.
I'm most impressed by their defense, which I covered in our Club World Cup best bets.
As far as the game script goes, I expect Fluminense to be hemmed in for the lion's share, absorbing, repelling, bending, but not breaking.
Envisioning a 1-1 tie at the end of 90 minutes, I believe Fluminense will prevail in extra time or penalties, raising the few eyebrows that aren't already lifted."
Best Fluminense vs. Chelsea prop: Under 2.5 goals (-132 via FanDuel)
"Semifinals traditionally have a cagey feel, at least in the opening 20 minutes or so. Neither team will want to make a costly mistake, turning it into a match of cat and mouse.
Chelsea scored more than one goal in just two of five matches, excluding the three they netted in extra time against Benfica. The Blues were only responsible for putting the finishing touches on one goal against Palmeiras, with the other an own goal that sent the Blues through.
The matches in which they scored more than two goals came against inferior sides, LAFC and Esperance Tunis.
Meanwhile, Fluminense are as solid at the back as the Thing's abs in Fantastic Four. And they have the ageless Thiago Silva, who understands Chelsea's play better than most, marshalling Fluminense's rearguard."
Fluminense vs Chelsea odds:
Can the Fluminense cinderella run continue or will Chelsea punch their ticket to the final?
Fluminense vs. Chelsea prediction: Fluminense to advance (+250 via FanDuel)
"Every so often, a team comes together for a major tournament and defies the odds, with everything falling into place seemingly effortlessly. I recall Greece's performance in the European Championships 21 years ago, representing one of the best underdog stories at a major tournament.
That Greece team needed dogged defending, well-planned and almost perfectly executed game plans, superb goalkeeping, ruthless attacking, an unparalleled feel-good factor and good fortune—Fluminense checks all of those boxes and then some.
I'm most impressed by their defense, which I covered in our Club World Cup best bets.
As far as the game script goes, I expect Fluminense to be hemmed in for the lion's share, absorbing, repelling, bending, but not breaking.
Envisioning a 1-1 tie at the end of 90 minutes, I believe Fluminense will prevail in extra time or penalties, raising the few eyebrows that aren't already lifted."
Best Fluminense vs. Chelsea prop: Under 2.5 goals (-132 via FanDuel)
"Semifinals traditionally have a cagey feel, at least in the opening 20 minutes or so. Neither team will want to make a costly mistake, turning it into a match of cat and mouse.
Chelsea scored more than one goal in just two of five matches, excluding the three they netted in extra time against Benfica. The Blues were only responsible for putting the finishing touches on one goal against Palmeiras, with the other an own goal that sent the Blues through.
The matches in which they scored more than two goals came against inferior sides, LAFC and Esperance Tunis.
Meanwhile, Fluminense are as solid at the back as the Thing's abs in Fantastic Four. And they have the ageless Thiago Silva, who understands Chelsea's play better than most, marshalling Fluminense's rearguard."
Fluminense vs Chelsea odds:
Can the Fluminense cinderella run continue or will Chelsea punch their ticket to the final?