Chelsea’s pre-season tour proper kicks off on Tuesday, 28 July, when Xabi Alonso takes his squad into a competitive fixture for the first time.
They face Western Sydney Wanderers at Accor Stadium in the opening match of the Sydney Super Cup. Kick-off is at 09:45 UTC, 10:45 BST in the UK, and 7:45pm local time in Sydney.
Our full match preview covered the context around this one: Chelsea’s unbeaten pre-season form, Western Sydney Wanderers’ difficult rebuild under Gary van Egmond, and the tactical questions Alonso needs answering before tougher tests later in the tour.
This piece builds directly on that, with a Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers predicted lineup for both sides and a score prediction based on how the game is likely to unfold.
Working out Alonso’s best XI is not straightforward.
Several of Chelsea’s new arrivals are unavailable, and the touring squad itself is young, with senior players still working through their mandated rest period after the World Cup.
Western Sydney Wanderers, by contrast, know exactly what they are: a well-organised, defensively resolute A-League side with little to lose against Premier League opposition.
That contrast in structure is the starting point for both lineups below.
Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers Injury News
The team news is unchanged from our full preview, so here is the summarised version. Morgan Rogers, Chelsea’s British record signing, is not involved, and is being given time off after the World Cup.
He is not expected to link up with the squad until after the Asia leg of the tour, with his debut targeted for the Real Sociedad friendly on 15 August instead.
Emmanuel Emegha also misses out, despite being one of the stories of pre-season after scoring in both behind-closed-doors friendlies at Cobham.
He picked up a hamstring injury in that spell and is sidelined, with fellow new signing Geovany Quenda out for a separate, minor knock.
Marco Palestra, by contrast, has travelled and is fit to be involved, giving Alonso another option at the back.
On the Western Sydney Wanderers side, reports out of Sydney do not list any fresh fitness concerns, meaning Van Egmond should have closer to a full-strength squad to select from than his opponents.
Here is how you can watch the game between Chelsea and Western Sydney Wanderers.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Alonso built his reputation at Bayer Leverkusen on a back three, so it would be a reasonable guess for this one too.
But reports out of the two behind-closed-doors friendlies at Cobham point the other way, suggesting Alonso is actually leaning towards a back four for this specific game, a 4-2-3-1, rather than carrying his usual system straight over.
Robert Sanchez starts in goal as the senior option among the travelling goalkeepers.
Josh Acheampong and Marco Palestra look the likeliest full-backs, either side of a central pairing of Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana, and this XI is drawn strictly from the confirmed 27-man touring squad, so names like Malo Gusto, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Reece James do not feature.
In midfield, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia form the double pivot, screening the back four.
Ahead of them, Jamie Gittens, Cole Palmer and Estevao make up the three behind a central striker, with license to interchange and rotate positions, and Joao Pedro leads the line.
Expect Landon Emenalo, who reportedly impressed in both closed-doors friendlies, to be introduced from the bench in the second half.
- GK: Robert Sanchez
- DEF: Josh Acheampong, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Marco Palestra
- MID: Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia
- ATT MID: Jamie Gittens, Cole Palmer, Estevao
- FWD: Joao Pedro
Western Sydney Wanderers Predicted Lineup vs Chelsea
Van Egmond has generally set his side up in a compact 4-3-3 since taking over in January, prioritising defensive organisation over expansive possession, and there is little incentive to change that against a Premier League side with far more individual quality.
Lawrence Thomas starts in goal as captain, protected by a back four of Alex Gersbach, Ruon Tongyik, Anthony Pantazopoulos and Aidan Simmons.
Steven Ugarkovic and Dylan Scicluna should anchor the midfield, screening the back four and looking to break forward on the counter when Chelsea’s press is stretched, while Bozhidar Kraev links play between midfield and attack.
Up front, Ryan Fraser starts wide with license to cut inside onto his stronger foot, Kosta Barbarouses leads the line as the senior focal point, and Hiroshi Ibusuki offers pace in behind Chelsea’s back line.
- GK: Lawrence Thomas
- DEF: Alex Gersbach, Ruon Tongyik, Anthony Pantazopoulos, Aidan Simmons
- MID: Steven Ugarkovic, Dylan Scicluna, Bozhidar Kraev
- FWD: Ryan Fraser, Kosta Barbarouses, Hiroshi Ibusuki
How to Watch Chelsea’s Pre-Season Tour 2026: Kick-off Times & Live Stream for Every Fixture
Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers Score Prediction
Our full preview’s Tactical Elements section covered the real deciding factor here, and it isn’t Chelsea’s attacking quality, which should be too much for Western Sydney Wanderers over 90 minutes regardless of personnel.
The bigger question is how disciplined Chelsea’s rest-defence looks in transition.
This is a young, scratch group with little shared match sharpness this early in pre-season, exactly the kind of side that can get caught out if the counter-press isn’t synchronised, and Van Egmond’s side have nothing to lose by sitting in and springing forward on the break.
Expect Chelsea to dominate territory and chances, with Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro combining for at least one goal in the final third.
But also expect one moment where Western Sydney Wanderers punish a disjointed press, likely through Ryan Fraser or Kosta Barbarouses.
On balance, Chelsea’s superior quality should be enough for a comfortable, but not one-sided, win to open the tour.
Score prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Western Sydney Wanderers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chelsea’s predicted lineup against Western Sydney Wanderers?
Chelsea are predicted to line up in a 4-2-3-1 with Robert Sanchez in goal, a back four of Josh Acheampong, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Marco Palestra, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia as a double pivot, Jamie Gittens, Cole Palmer and Estevao in support, and Joao Pedro leading the line.
What formation will Chelsea use against Western Sydney Wanderers?
Reports from Chelsea’s behind-closed-doors friendlies suggest Xabi Alonso will use a 4-2-3-1 for this game, a back four, rather than the back three he was known for at Bayer Leverkusen.
Will Morgan Rogers play against Western Sydney Wanderers?
No. Rogers is being rested after the World Cup and is expected to join the squad after the Asia leg of the tour, with a debut targeted for the Real Sociedad friendly on 15 August.
What is the score prediction for Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers?
Chelsea are predicted to win 3-1, with their attacking quality proving too much for Western Sydney Wanderers over 90 minutes despite at least one moment of vulnerability in transition.
