Benfica vs Chelsea Prediction, Preview, Team News and Lineups 28.06.2025

• Date and Time: Saturday, June 28, 2025, 21:00 GMT+1
• Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC, USA

Benfica vs Chelsea Preview and Team News 

Benfica Team News

Benfica came out of a challenging group that featured Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors. 

Their campaign began with a chaotic 2-2 draw against an Argentine side. In their second match, they thrashed Auckland City 6-0. While the final scoreline reflected dominance, the first half saw them waste several clear chances before finally breaking through.

The decisive group-stage clash came against Bayern Munich. Benfica executed their plan perfectly, scoring in the 13th minute and then defending their goal. The German team dominated the ball and created several opportunities, but Benfica handled the pressure and secured a 1-0 win, enough to seal top spot.

⏭ Running to the Round of 16! ☝#SLBFCB • #FIFACWC • #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/FLpWAFQVYu

— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) June 24, 2025

Despite only lifting the Portuguese League Cup, Benfica were solid domestically in the 2024-25 season, just three points away from winning the league title. The Lisbon club reached the Champions League Round of 16, where Barcelona edged them out over two thrilling legs.

Tactically, Bruno Lage’s system relies on high pressing and aggressive positioning; they try to win the ball early and control territory. 

Benfica’s strength lies in their attacking variety. They can hurt teams through combination play, wide overloads, and fast transitions. Their victories over Atlético Madrid and Juventus in last season’s Champions League, as well as the recent win over Bayern, showed their threat at the highest level.

Full-time in Orlando! 💪#SLBACFC • #FIFACWC • #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/VWQy0W47xW

— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) June 20, 2025

Ángel Di María remains their most creative player. His dribbling, vision, and passing cut open defences, and his chemistry with striker Vangelis Pavlidis has been key. Pavlidis is in excellent form, combining sharp movement with clinical finishing. Their understanding has produced consistent goals, especially against high-profile opponents.

Still, the risks of Benfica’s approach are clear. Holding a high line often leaves them exposed to quick attackers, a weakness that Feyenoord and Barcelona both took advantage of. Fatigue has also played a role. In high-tempo matches, the Portuguese squad have shown signs of physical drop-off late on, which has cost them points in close contests.

Benfica are without Alexander Bah and Manu Silva. They both have long-term ACL injuries. Tomás Araújo will also be absent due to a minor muscle issue.

Benfica predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Aursnes, Silva, Otamendi, Carreras; Barreiro, Kokcu; Di Maria, Prestianni, Akturkoglu; Pavlidis

Chelsea Team News

Chelsea eased through the group stage with wins over Los Angeles FC (2-0) and Espérance de Tunis (3-0). But their momentum was checked by a 1-3 defeat to Flamengo. 

That loss wasn’t just about the scoreline. In the second half, Chelsea were overrun, losing second balls, breaking down structurally, and posing little threat in attack. It echoed a familiar pattern from their Premier League campaign, with moments of mental and tactical collapse that seem to come out of nowhere. 

Our @FIFACWC R16 matchup. ✊ pic.twitter.com/9IBfFAFxkZ

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 26, 2025

Nicolas Jackson’s needless red card in that game was another example of the discipline issues that continue to affect the squad.

Still, Chelsea remain a side with serious attacking tools. The pace of Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke, combined with Cole Palmer’s movement and intelligence between the lines, could exploit the spaces behind Benfica’s backline.

Late in the Premier League, Chelsea showed that they could manage pressure, especially in tight matches against Nottingham Forest and Real Betis. In those meetings, their transitions were sharp, and the team controlled shifts from attack to defence.

Squad slaps. 👋 pic.twitter.com/fqNmd7HgIQ

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 27, 2025

If the English club can replicate that play against Benfica, they should have enough quality to strike when it matters.

Chelsea will be without striker Nicolas Jackson, banned for two games following his red card against Flamengo. Wesley Fofana is still out after hamstring surgery, and Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable due to a doping suspension.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Benfica (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Delap

Benfica vs Chelsea Prediction 

• Pick: Total Over 1.5
• Odds: 1.28 (22Bet)
• Score prediction: Benfica 1-1 Chelsea

Considering the playing tendencies of both teams, a clean sheet looks unlikely. Benfica conceded twice against Boca Juniors and allowed several clear chances from Bayern. Chelsea, despite two group-stage shutouts, looked vulnerable in their 1-3 loss to Flamengo, where their back line was repeatedly exposed.

The added tension of a playoff match increases the likelihood of individual errors, and both sides have the attacking quality to find the back of the net. Di María and Pavlidis on one end, Palmer and Neto on the other, this game has all the ingredients for goals.

Benfica vs Chelsea Prediction, Betting Tip

• Pick: Both teams to score
• Odds: 1.75 (22Bet)

Benfica’s high-risk, high-reward approach puts them in goal-heavy matches. They commit numbers forward, press aggressively, and often leave space behind, especially when transitions break down.

Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, are slightly more controlled in structure, but far from defensively stable. While they have the attacking quality to score in any game, their back line remains inconsistent, especially under pressure.

With both clubs possessing clinical attackers and known defensive gaps, the most sensible choice is to back both sides to score.

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