Picture this: two European heavyweights, Benfica and Chelsea, squaring off in the sultry Charlotte heat, vying for a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals. It’s a clash that promises goals, grit, and a glimpse of who’s got the edge in this expanded tournament.
Kickoff is set for Saturday, 20:00 GMT+0, June 28 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a capacity crowd of 74,867 ready to roar. Slovenian referee Vincic S. will oversee this last-16 showdown, where the winner earns a date with either Palmeiras or Botafogo on July 5, making this Benfica vs Chelsea match prediction a must-read for fans and bettors alike.
Betting Tips and Match Insights
Get ready to dive into the form, history, and stakes that shape this Benfica vs Chelsea prediction today. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance and vulnerability in the Club World Cup, setting up a tactical chess match. Recent results reveal how they handle pressure, while head-to-head clashes hint at Chelsea’s edge. Our Benfica vs Chelsea betting tips will unpack these trends, spotlighting key players and moments. Let’s break it down to see who’s likely to shine in Charlotte.
Benfica Results
Benfica’s journey to the last-16 has been a rollercoaster, blending stunning wins with gritty draws. The Eagles topped Group C, surprising many by outpacing Bayern Munich. Their recent form across all competitions offers clues to their mindset heading into this knockout clash.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | W/L |
| 24/06/25 | CWC | Benfica vs Bayern Munich | 1-0 | W |
| 20/06/25 | CWC | Benfica vs Auckland City | 6-0 | W |
| 17/06/25 | CWC | Boca Juniors vs Benfica | 2-2 | D |
| 25/05/25 | TP | Benfica vs Sporting CP | 1-3 | L |
| 17/05/25 | LP | Braga vs Benfica | 1-1 | D |
Benfica’s 1-0 upset over Bayern, sealed by Andreas Schjelderup’s early strike, shows they can grind out results against elite sides. Their 6-0 thrashing of Auckland City highlights a ruthless streak in attack, led by Vangelis Pavlidis. However, draws against Boca Juniors and Braga suggest inconsistency in tight games. A 3-1 loss to Sporting CP in the Taça de Portugal exposed defensive frailties, which Chelsea might target. Overall, Benfica’s mix of flair and resilience makes them dangerous but not invincible.
Chelsea Results
Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign has been a tale of recovery after a mid-tournament stumble. Enzo Maresca’s squad bounced back from a loss to Flamengo with a confident win, signaling intent. Their form across competitions paints a picture of a team finding its groove.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | W/L |
| 25/06/25 | CWC | Esperance Tunis vs Chelsea | 0-3 | W |
| 20/06/25 | CWC | Flamengo RJ vs Chelsea | 3-1 | L |
| 16/06/25 | CWC | Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC | 2-0 | W |
| 28/05/25 | CL | Betis vs Chelsea | 1-4 | W |
| 25/05/25 | PL | Nottingham vs Chelsea | 0-1 | W |
Chelsea’s 3-0 rout of Esperance Tunis, with Liam Delap opening his account, shows their depth despite rotation. The 3-1 loss to Flamengo exposed second-half lapses, a warning for this knockout stage. Wins over Los Angeles FC, Betis, and Nottingham underline a strong run, with four victories in five games. Their attack, fueled by Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto, looks sharp, but defensive tweaks will be key. Chelsea’s momentum suggests they’re peaking at the right time.
Head-to-Head: Benfica vs Chelsea (Last Five Matches)
History leans heavily in Chelsea’s favor when these two meet, with Benfica yet to crack the code against the Blues. Their past encounters, all in UEFA competitions, set the stage for a compelling narrative. Let’s revisit the last five to see what patterns emerge.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 15/05/13 | EL | Benfica vs Chelsea | 1-2 |
| 04/04/12 | CL | Chelsea vs Benfica | 2-1 |
| 27/03/12 | CL | Benfica vs Chelsea | 0-1 |
| 05/04/05 | CL | Chelsea vs Benfica | 4-2 |
| 21/03/05 | CL | Benfica vs Chelsea | 1-2 |
Chelsea’s clean sweep in these five matches, including a dramatic 2-1 win in the 2013 Europa League final, gives them a psychological edge. Benfica’s lone goal in most of these games shows they can threaten, but Chelsea’s knack for clutch moments has prevailed. This trend suggests the Blues enter as favorites, though Benfica’s current form could challenge that dominance.
Predicted Lineups for Benfica vs Chelsea Football Match
Before the whistle blows at Bank of America Stadium, knowing who’s likely to take the pitch for Benfica and Chelsea sets the stage for this last-16 clash. Below are the predicted starting elevens, shaped by recent form, suspensions, and tactical tweaks, giving you a clear picture of how both sides might line up.
Benfica Predicted Lineup
Benfica’s Bruno Lage is expected to field a competitive side, blending experience with attacking flair.
Trubin (GK), Aursnes (DF), Silva (DF), Otamendi (DF), Carreras (DF), Barreiro (MF), Kokcu (MF), Di Maria (MF), Prestianni (MF), Schjelderup (FW), Pavlidis (FW)
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea will lean on returning stars to overpower their Portuguese rivals.
Sanchez (GK), James (DF), Tosin (DF), Colwill (DF), Cucurella (DF), Caicedo (MF), Fernandez (MF), Neto (MF), Palmer (MF), Madueke (MF), Delap (FW)
Injured and Questionable Players
With key absences looming, both Benfica and Chelsea face challenges in Charlotte. The table below lists players ruled out or in doubt, detailing their injuries or suspensions, so you can gauge how these gaps might shift the match’s flow.
| Team | Player | Issue |
| Benfica | Tiago Araujo | Injury |
| Benfica | Alexander Bah | Knee Injury |
| Benfica | Manu Silva | Knee Injury |
| Benfica | Renato Sanches | Injury (Questionable) |
| Chelsea | Leo Castledine | Back Injury |
| Chelsea | Wesley Fofana | Hamstring Injury |
| Chelsea | Nicolas Jackson | Red Card |
| Chelsea | Omari Kellyman | Hamstring Injury |
| Chelsea | Mykhailo Mudryk | Suspended |
Key Factors to Watch
As we build our Benfica vs Chelsea prediction 2025, several elements could tilt the scales in Charlotte. Both teams bring strengths and vulnerabilities, shaped by form, injuries, and off-field dynamics. Here’s what to keep an eye on to understand the flow of this match.
- Benfica’s attacking form: Vangelis Pavlidis, with 30 goals this season, and Angel Di Maria’s penalty prowess keep the Eagles soaring;
- Chelsea’s new blood: Liam Delap’s first Club World Cup goal signals a growing threat up top;
- Benfica’s injury woes: Missing Alexander Bah, Manu Silva, and likely Florentino Luis weakens their depth;
- Chelsea’s absentees: Nicolas Jackson’s suspension and Wesley Fofana’s injury force reliance on Delap and Tosin Adarabioyo;
- Benfica’s Bayern scalp: Their 1-0 win over Munich proves they can stun giants;
- Chelsea’s winning streak: Four wins in five games show a team hitting its stride;
- Benfica’s defensive lapses: Conceding three to Sporting CP flags vulnerabilities Chelsea could exploit;
- Chelsea’s Flamengo flop: A 3-1 loss exposed second-half fragility that Benfica might target.
Free Tips on Benfica vs Chelsea
Betting on Benfica vs Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup last-16 clash demands a sharp eye for detail, especially with both teams showing flashes of brilliance. This section offers four practical tips, grounded in stats and trends, to help you make smarter wagers. From past meetings to pitch conditions, these insights will give you an edge for the Charlotte showdown.
- Leverage historical dominance: Chelsea’s perfect record in their last five clashes with Benfica, all won by narrow margins, suggests they thrive in this matchup, so consider backing a tight Blues victory;
- Factor in stadium atmosphere: Bank of America Stadium’s 74,867 fans could amplify Chelsea’s confidence, as they’ve won four of five recent away games, while Benfica’s mixed away form hints at vulnerability;
- Assess referee tendencies: Slovenian ref Vincic S. averages 4.2 cards per game, so betting on over 3.5 cards could pay off, especially with Chelsea’s aggressive pressing style;
- Mind the pitch and weather: Charlotte’s natural grass pitch, potentially slick from summer humidity, favors Chelsea’s quick-passing game over Benfica’s reliance on wide dribblers like Di Maria.
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Benfica vs Chelsea Match Prediction
For our Benfica vs Chelsea prediction 2025, I’m leaning toward a narrow Chelsea victory, likely 2-1, in a match that’ll keep you glued to the edge of your seat. Chelsea’s historical dominance, with five straight wins over Benfica, including tight battles in high-stakes UEFA ties, gives them a mental advantage. Their recent form, with four wins in five across all competitions, shows a squad clicking under Maresca, especially with Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto ready to carve open defenses. Liam Delap’s emergence as a goal-scorer fills the gap left by Jackson’s suspension, and a backline featuring Reece James and Marc Cucurella should hold firm. Benfica, though, are no pushovers. Their upset over Bayern and Pavlidis’ lethal form mean they’ll test Chelsea, especially if Di Maria exploits set-pieces. Yet, Benfica’s injury-hit squad and defensive wobbles, like the three goals shipped to Sporting CP, tilt the Benfica vs Chelsea odds in the Blues’ favor. Expect a cagey first half, but Chelsea’s depth and attacking zip should clinch it late.
Our Prediction: Benfica 1-2 Chelsea
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Chelsea Win | 2.16 |
| Both Teams to Score | Yes | 1.76 |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 | 1.9 |
Ready to get in on the action? Bet on match – Benfica vs Chelsea you can make at bc.game, where the thrill of this Club World Cup clash awaits. Don’t miss your chance to back the Blues or take a punt on an upset in Charlotte!
