World Club Cup final:Chelsea FC V Corinthians preview plus predictions

Chelsea play Brazilian side Corinthians this morning at 10:30 (UK time) vying to become World Club Champions.

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez insists that this tournament means a lot to the Chelsea team and will do all he can to win it.

“I’m trying to keep our winning mentality and our hunger to win trophies,” said Benitez.

“Some people say this tournament is not the biggest in the world but I know it’s an important competition.”

The Spaniard will become the first manager to manage three different teams in a World Club Cup final today, having won the trophy with Inter Milan and having lost the final when managing Liverpool back in 2005.

“I’m really pleased and really proud because I could manage three top sides in the world,” added Benitez.
“To be here and to have this opportunity to win again is amazing and fantastic.”

Rafa will have to decide whether to start Frank Lampard, who had been pushing to start the semi-final, only for Benitez to start David Luiz in a central midfield role.

David played very well in his new role, but I expect Rafa to rotate some of the squad.

Ramires or Lampard are expected to start alongside Mikel in midfield, with Victor Moses possibly starting ahead of Oscar or Eden Hazard.

Confirmed Chelsea line-up:

Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Lampard, Ramires, Hazard, Mata, Moses, Torres

Corinthians we’re unimpressive in their semi-final but teams always up their game against Chelsea. I expect the game to start off quite tight, with Chelsea breaking the deadlock in the last 15 of the first-half. After the break I expect Chelsea to dominate comprehensively, eventually winning 3-0 or 4-0.

Come on you blues!