Chelsea vs Benfica is one of the standout fixtures that football fans will look forward to when the second round fixtures of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.
Both sides faced each other in the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup where the Blues advanced to the quarter-finals with an impressive 4-1 victory. The Blues started brightly in Lisbon, with Reece James opening the scoring through a trademark free-kick before Angel Di Maria converted a penalty to level the match, forcing extra time after a dramatic weather delay halted play near the 86th minute.
The extra period belonged entirely to Chelsea while Benfica’s hopes faded quickly after Gianluca Prestianni was sent off early in extra time, and the London side took full advantage. Christopher Nkunku restored Chelsea’s lead before Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The game will see the return of one of the best coaches in the history of Chelsea to Stamford Bridge for the first time since he took his Tottenham Hotspur side to the Bridge.
Head to Head ( Chelsea vs Benfica)
Chelsea have dominated their rivalry with Benfica, winning all five of their competitive meetings. The Blues first triumphed in the 2011/12 Champions League quarterfinals and followed up with a 2-1 victory in the 2013 Europa League final to claim the trophy.
Their superiority continued in 2025 with a 4-1 extra-time win at the FIFA Club World Cup, extending their perfect record home and away. Benfica remain without a victory in this fixture, while Chelsea aim to keep their flawless streak intact in the next encounter.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, Lavia; Estevao, Buonanotte, Garnacho; Pedro
Benfica possible starting lineup: Trubin; Dedic, Otamendi, A. Silva, Dahl; Barrenechea, Rios; Lukebakio, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis
Where to watch Chelsea vs Benfica?
The game will be live on SuperSport on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
Prediction: Chelsea have not been in good form in the past two weeks but we expect the Blues to be on the winning side at the end of the game.