Chelsea vs Benfica

Chelsea welcome Benfica to Stamford Bridge in what promises to be a high-stakes UEFA Champions League clash. Both sides carry rich European pedigree, but history leans heavily in favour of the Blues, who have enjoyed complete dominance in this fixture. The two clubs have met four times in competitive competition, with Chelsea winning all four by an aggregate score of 9-3. Their most recent encounter came earlier this year at the FIFA Club World Cup, where the London side eased to a 4-1 victory in the round of 16. This tie, however, represents new territory, as it will be the first time they face each other in the group or league phase of a competition, with all previous meetings coming in knockout football. Chelsea, however, come into this match with their own European concerns. The Blues are enduring their longest-ever losing streak in the Champions League, having suffered three straight defeats. Still, Stamford Bridge remains a fortress in the group phase: they are unbeaten in their last 11 home games at this stage since a 0-1 loss to Valencia in September 2019 (W7 D4). That resilience in front of their own supporters could prove decisive once again despite their recent string of defeats, which includes back-to-back Premier League defeats and a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich on UCL Match Day 1. João Pedro is expected at the attacking end of Chelsea’s 4—2—3—1 formation.

Benfica’s record against English opposition makes for grim reading. The Portuguese giants are winless in their last eight encounters against Premier League clubs (D3 L5), a barren run stretching back more than a decade to their 3-1 victory over Tottenham in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg in 2014. Even more concerning is their defensive record – they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 18 games against English sides. Their last shutout came way back in November 2009, in a 2-0 Europa League win against Everton. José Mourinho’s return to Benfica’s dugout adds another layer of intrigue. The Portuguese coach, a legend at Chelsea, has only won four of his 14 matches against his former club (D3 L7). None of those wins have come in his last seven attempts, drawing three and losing four, with his last success coming in February 2018 when his Manchester United side edged Chelsea 2-1 in the Premier League. He will be desperate to end that barren stretch against a club that helped define his managerial career. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Vangelis Pavlidis in attack is expected here.