Benfica vs Chelsea: 2025 FIFA CWC round of 16 preview, H2H, prediction
Benfica’s midfielder, Angel Di Maria (left) and Chelsea’s midfielder, Cole Palmer (right). Photo Credit- DAZN
In a thrilling all-European clash, Portuguese giants Benfica face Premier League heavyweights Chelsea in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 on Saturday, June 28, 2025, 4:00 PM ET, at the Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina. With Benfica topping Group C and Chelsea finishing second in Group D, this match will see two tactically astute sides against each other for a quarterfinal spot against the Palmeiras-Botafogo winner. This piece is set to explore both teams’ performances, tactics, team news, injuries, head-to-head statistics, and a scoreline prediction.
Benfica recent performances
Benfica stormed to the top of Group C with a historic 1-0 upset over Bayern Munich on June 24, 2025, their first-ever win against the Bundesliga champions, alongside a 6-0 rout of Auckland City and a 2-2 draw with Boca Juniors. Under Bruno Lage. Vangelis Pavlidis led with 30 goals across all competitions, while Angel Di Maria’s 3 penalties in the Club World Cup showcased his clutch ability. Their Champions League campaign ended in the round of 16, losing to Barcelona, but their 9 goals in the Club World Cup group stage highlight their attacking prowess.
Benfica tactical analysis
Bruno Lage employs a disciplined 4-2-3-1, balancing possession with rapid counter-attacks. Joao Mario and Renato Sanches control midfield, with Sanches’ 1.8 tackles per 90 and Mario’s 2.1 key passes per 90 driving transitions. Vangelis Pavlidis anchors the attack, supported by Andreas Schjelderup’s pace and Di Maria’s playmaking. Overlapping full-backs Alvaro Carreras and Antonio Silva stretch defenses, but Benfica’s high line conceded in 10 of 34 league games, a potential weakness against Chelsea’s quick attackers. Their ability to “absorb pressure and counter through wide areas,” could exploit Chelsea’s full-backs.
Benfica team news and injuries
Benfica boast a near-fully fit squad, with left-back Alvaro Carreras available after serving a suspension against Bayern Munich. Renato Sanches is fit to start in midfield, potentially alongside Leandro Barreiro, who scored twice against Auckland. However, midfielder Florentino Luis is sidelined with a shoulder injury from Matchday 1, and long-term absentees Alexander Bah and Manu Silva (both knee injuries) remain out, with Zeki Amdouni also excluded from the squad. Andrea Belotti, back from suspension, may challenge Pavlidis for a starting spot.
Predicted Benfica XI (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Silva, Otamendi, Morato, Carreras; Mario, Sanches; Di María, Kokcu, Schjelderup; Pavlidis.
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Chelsea’s recent form
Chelsea secured their Round of 16 spot as Group D runners-up, finishing with 6 points after a 2-0 win over LAFC, a 3-1 loss to Flamengo, and a 3-0 victory against ES Tunis on June 24, 2025. Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s 2024/25 Premier League season saw them finish 4th, scoring 69 goals in 38 matches, with Cole Palmer and Liam Delap shining. Their UEFA Conference League title triumph, has been replicated so far in the Club World Cup campaign, showing resilience, with 6 goals scored and 3 conceded in the group stage, though the Flamengo defeat raised concerns about defensive solidity against top-tier opposition.
Chelsea’s tactical analysis
Maresca’s 4-2-3-1 emphasizes high pressing and central dominance, with 64.8% possession against LAFC. Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia anchor midfield, with Caicedo’s tackles and Palmer’s key passes creating chances. Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke exploit the wings, while Liam Delap’s physicality offers a focal point. Defensively, Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill provide solidity, but Marc Cucurella’s forward runs leave gaps, as seen in Flamengo’s 3 goals. Chelsea’s rapid attacking switches and high press, could overwhelm Benfica’s midfield, though fatigue from a packed schedule is a concern.
Chelsea’s team news and injuries
Chelsea are without striker Nicolas Jackson, serving a two-game suspension after a red card against Flamengo, extended by FIFA, leaving Liam Delap likely to start after scoring against ES Tunis. Cole Palmer, Caicedo, and Reece James are confirmed to return to the starting XI, with no new injuries reported. Tyrique George, who scored as a substitute against ES Tunis, pushes for minutes.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1); Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Delap.
Benfica vs Chelsea head-to-head statistics
Benfica and Chelsea have met three times, with Chelsea winning all encounters: 2012/13 Europa League Final: Chelsea 2-1 Benfica (May 15, 2013, Amsterdam). 2011/12 Champions League Quarterfinal: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica (March 27, 2012, Lisbon); Chelsea 2-1 Benfica (April 4, 2012, London) – Chelsea advanced 3-1 on aggregate. Chelsea’s perfect record, gives them a psychological edge, though Benfica’s current form and the experience of players like Di Maria against Premier League sides add intrigue.
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Benfica vs Chelsea score prediction
Chelsea are slight favorites, but Benfica’s 1-0 win over Bayern and 9 group-stage goals make them formidable. Chelsea’s high press and early scoring (leading at half-time in all 3 group games) could exploit Benfica’s high line, but Di Maria snd Pavlidis pose threats. Both teams’ attacking output (Benfica’s 9, Chelsea’s 6 goals in group stage) and defensive frailties suggest goals, predicting both teams to score. Chelsea’s depth, with Palmer and Delap, should edge out Benfica’s counter-attacking style in a tight contest.
