AL HILAL vs CHELSEA MATCH LIVE PREVIEW TEAM NEWS KICKOFF TIME AND HOW TO WATCH CLUB WORLD CUP 2022

Chelsea get their bid to be world champions underway on Wednesday afternoon when they face Al Hilal in the Club World Cup semi-finals. It is the Blues’ second appearance at the tournament, secured with their Champions League final victory over Man City last season. Back in 2012, Chelsea beat Monterrey in the last four but were then defeated by Corinthians in the final, a rare upset result in this tournament. Thomas Tuchel has not flown out with his team, after testing positive for Covid, and it remains to be seen if he is able to join them in Abu Dhabi later in the week. Al Hilal are managed by former Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim, and beat Al Jazira 6-1 on Sunday to set up a clash against Chelsea. Here’s all you need to know about the semi-final match. The Club World Cup semi-final is scheduled for a 4.30pm GMT kick-off time on Wednesday February 9, 2022. The Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi will host it. Former Man United striker Odion Ighalo and ex-West Brom player Matheus Pereira both scored in Al Hilal’s semi-final win, and can be expected to start against Chelsea and lead the attacking threat. For the Blues, Reece James is part of the 23-man squad to have travelled though is a big doubt for the tournament as he continues his comeback from injury. Edouard Mendy, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal on Sunday, is expected to join up with the Chelsea squad later in the week and miss the semi-final clash. Mason Mount is a doubt, having missed Sunday’s training session with a knock, but could still recover in time to face Al Hilal. Al Hilal vs Chelsea prediction It would be a huge shock if Chelsea did not make it through to the Club World Cup final. Al Hilal were impressive in their opening match but now face a huge step up in class, and the Blues should have more than enough to come through. It is ten years since a non-European club won the tournament - not since the inaugural staging of the Club World Cup in 2000 has the European side failed to reach the final. #alihilavschelsea #chelseafc #clubworldcup