Chelsea get their World Club Championship campaign underway at the semi-final stage on Thursday morning against Mexican outfit Monterrey.

Chelsea are unsurprising strong favourites at 1/2 (Betfred) and it would be a fantastic shock if they didn’t line-up in the final on Sunday, however the excuses are already coming out of the Chelsea camp, jet lag and a lack of ‘settling in time’ the latest grumblings. Club World Cup specialist Rafa Benitez has said he will field a strong side so expect goal machine Fernando Torres to start up front with Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata also expected to take their place.

Chelsea’s Mexican opponents saw of Korean side Ulsan Hyundai in the previous round but the European Champions will provide a totally different challenge to the nacho loving Mexicans. That win in the last round was their first win in six matches so despite Chelsea’s plethora of excuses, it looks to be the European’s to lose. They are without their start striker Suazo but Mexican sides rarely take this competition seriously (thanks to @JCLaLiga for this information).

Chelsea will dare not come back to London if they don’t win this match so expect a professional performance from the Premier League side. It may not be pretty, but Chelsea will come through.

Monterrey vs Chelsea Betting Tips

Chelsea to win (-1 Handicap) at 5/4 with Bet365

Fernando Torres to score first at 9/2 with Paddy Power

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