Is Chelsea vs Palmeiras on TV? Channel, live stream FREE, team news as Mendy STARTS Club World Cup final

How did we get here?

Chelsea made it this far after winning the Champions League last season thanks to a 1-0 triumph over Manchester City in the final with Kai Havertz’s winner.

The Blues then defeated Europa League holders Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup on penalties to punch their ticket to the Club World Cup.

The west Londoners made it to the final by beating Al-Hilal 1-0 in their semi-final with Romelu Lukaku’s winner.

Palmeiras, on the other hand, became the first team to retain the Copa Libertadores trophy since 2001 last season.

The Alviverde defeated fellow Brazilian giants Flamengo 2-1 in a dramatic final following Deyverson’s extra-time winner.

Abel Ferreira’s men then overcame Al Ahly with a score of 2-0 thanks to Raphael Veiga and Dudu’s goals

Returning to the Tuch-line

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel looks ready to return to the dugout after a recent bout with coronavirus.

Tuchel returned a negative COVID-19 test yesterday and that allowed him to fly to Abu Dhabi for the final.

The Blues’ first-team coach Zsolt Low presided during the German’s absence against Al-Hilal.

And it looks like the 48-year-old tactician will take charge during the Club World Cup Final

Palmeiras formation

Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira appears to have chosen a 4-2-3-1 formation against Chelsea.

Weverton starts between the sticks with Marcos Rocha at right-back and Joaquin Piquerez on the other side, while Luan and captain Gustavo Gomez team up at centre-back.

Danilo and Ze Rafael team up in midfield, with Raphael Veiga at No10.

Dudu covers the right flank with Gustavo Scarpa on the other side, while Rony leads the attack

Chelsea formation

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel appears to have opted for his usual 3-4-2-1 formation against Palmeiras.

Edouard Mendy returns in goal with Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger in defence.

Captain Cezar Azpilicueta plays at right wing-back with Callum Hudson-Odoi on the other side, while N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic team up in midfield.

Mason Mount and Kai Havertz play behind Romelu Lukaku, who leads the attack

Palmeiras subs

5 Kuscevic, 6 Jorge, 11 Wesley, 12 Mayke, 16 Deyverson, 19 Lopes, 20 Atuesta, 26 Cerqueira, 29 Navarro, 30 Jailson, 31 Mateus, 42 Lomba

Chelsea subs

1 Kepa, 13 Bettinelli, 3 Alonso, 14 Chalobah, 31 Sarr, 5 Jorginho, 17 Saul, 18 Barkley, 23 Kenedy, 10 Pulisic, 22 Ziyech, 11 Werner

Chelsea XI

16 Mendy; 4 Christensen, 6 Silva, 2 Rudiger; 28 Azpilicueta, 7 Kante, 8 Kovacic, 28 Hudson-Odoi; 19 Mount, 29 Havertz, 9 Lukaku

Palmeiras XI

21 Weverton, 2 Rocha, 7 Dudu, 8 Ze Rafael, 10 Rony, 13 Luan, Scarpa, 15 Gomez, 22 Piquerez, 23 Veiga, 28 Danilo

The team sheets are in!!!

Palmeiras stats

Palmeiras enjoyed an impressive campaign as they finished third in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A.

The Alviverde have also been enjoying a stunning record across all competitions as they are undefeated since November 21.

Abel Ferreira’s men have won a total of seven out of their last 10 matches, they have also prevailed in four out five games this year.

Palmeiras’ most recent loss took place at Fortaleza where they lost 1-0 with Robson’s winner

Chelsea stats

Chelsea are third in the Premier League table with a whopping 13 points separating them from high-flyers Manchester City.

Liverpool are ahead in second with a game in hand and four points ahead of the Blues.

Thomas Tuchel’s men have registered 48 goals in the top flight, which is the third best return, and conceded 18, which is the third best record.

The west Londoners have won four of their last six matches across all competitions and lost one to City last month at the Etihad

Head-to-head

This is the first time Chelsea and Palmeiras ever face each other across all competitions.

In fact, Abel Ferreira’s side will be the second Brazilian team the Blues ever play against throughout their history.

The west Londoners locked horns with Corinthians in the 2012 Club World Cup Final, which they lost – more on that later.

Palmeiras have only faced one English team in the past and that was Manchester United in the 1999 Intercontinental Cup Final, which they lost with a score of 1-0 thanks to Roy Keane’s winner

Good afternoon from Abu Dhabi

Welcome to our live coverage of the Club World Cup Final between Chelsea and Palmeiras at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.

The Blues are going after the one major title that has been eluding them throughout their illustrious history.

Manager Thomas Tuchel arrived in the United Arab Emirates after spending the competition’s semi-final in his home in Surrey following a positive COVID-19 test.

First-team coach Zsolt Low presided during his absence against Al-Hilal but Tuchel is expected to come back to the dugout, provided he returns a negative coronavirus test prior to the game.

The west Londoners have a fully-fit squad, with the exception of long-term absentees Reece James and Ben Chilwell, who are out with a hamstring and cruciate ligament injury respectively.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek picked up a knock and is also sidelined but Mason Mount came off the bench on Wednesday and could even start today

Tuchel will have to decide whether to reinstate Edouard Mendy between the sticks following his return from a triumphant Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Senegal or maintain Kepa Arrizabalaga, who impressed in goal during the former’s absence.

Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira has a fully-fit squad at his disposal but will be missing the injured Henri