Chelsea vs Benfica Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Chelsea and Benfica have played out some thrillers in Europe in the past and now the latest meeting is at Stamford Bridge in the UEFA Champions League this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Chelsea team news
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Estevao, Fernandez, Neto; Garnacho
Unavailable: Adarabioyo (Injured), Colwill (Injured), Delap (Injured), Fofana (Injured), Palmer (Injured)
Questionable: Caicedo (Injured), Joao Pedro (Injured), Santos (Injured)
Benfica team news
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Barrenechea, Rios; Aursnes, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis
Unavailable: Bah (Injured), Bruma (Injured), Manu (Injured)
Questionable:
Chelsea vs Benfica prediction
Enzo Maresca simply has to be feeling a bit of pressure once again, despite a strong end to last season and their success at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Chelsea have been underwhelming at the start of this season and that was shown in their 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League a couple of weeks ago.
They now face a Benfica side that, under the management of Jose Mourinho, started the Mourinho era with a couple of underwhelming performances and results. The reason for Mourinho’s appointment is because Bruno Lage was sacked as a result of a 3-2 loss to Qarabag in Lisbon in their UEFA Champions League opener.
Benfica head to Stamford Bridge for what is a Jose Mourinho derby, but his magic spark is long gone, and the hosts, despite their issues, should get themselves a victory in west London.
Chelsea vs Benfica Tip: Chelsea to win
