Well, here we are on the final day of the Club World Cup and I feel like the tournament was an actual success. The Brazilian teams found their footing behind strong support, many of the stadiums were filled, and the overall play I thought was pretty good for a pre-season tournament. Nothing you can do about the excessive heat and it will find its way to the pitch again today.
If you have followed me over the years, you would know that PSG are my favorite squad, so their recent success has been really welcome given that Mbappe has been, and continues to be, one of my favorite players. But PSG silenced him last time out and I think they do the same today vs. Chelsea. It has been a really strong tournament for Chelsea and it's given them the kind of confidence they can take into what should be a highly competitive Premier League season. But they are just not as good either in the quality of players or on the coaching touchline to dismantle PSG, at least in my opinion.
I realize the line has dropped and this is a gift in my opinion. Perhaps it's due to Dembele not starting or, as I had mentioned in a previous post, the fact that, like the big teams here in the USA (Cowboys, Giants, Yankees), people tend to wager with their hearts and a LOT of money on this game is flowing in from places like the UK. So I think Chelsea is unfairly being given more respect than they deserve, but they do deserve some respect.
If you look at PSG, especially defensively, they have been one of the strongest teams as their wingers (Hakimi and Mendes) have shown they can get up field and create for the forwards who have been sublime. Fabian Ruiz has been awesome this tournament and Dembele, when he's played, has been unstoppable. But I think the real key to their recent success has been Marquinhos, who was gone for most the season with an injury and has really controlled the back line. And, of course, their goalkeeper Donnarumma.
For Chelsea, the addition of Joao Pedro and the emergence of Pedro Neto have been the catalyst for their recent run to the Finals. But they have played far inferior opposition and I think that will show tonight. I think their goalkeepers are prone to errors and I just don't see them holding back the starting 11 of PSG and, if they do, their substitutes are not as proven as those for PSG, especially if Dembele comes off the bench. This will be a big play for me:
PSG (-145)...BIG PLAY!!!: And if you needed any more convincing, PSG will be celebrating the French Day of Independence tomorrow, Bastille Day, or, shall I say, simultaneously in local time to when this game is being played. You tell me if you see them adding to the celebration or otherwise. I think the vision is clear and so is the play.
PSG FH -1/4 (-125): They have come out strong in all of their games and if this ends up 0-0, I will only lose half the FH play. Was very tempting to take PSG +125 for the FH given everything but erring on the side of caution.
I will be back for this upcoming season and will keep a running record. I almost jumped in last night with the MLS but decided to not post and only play. Encouragingly, I made a good profit so I might start posting those games as well. Regardless, tail or fade, good luck to all...
Hot Forum Topics
