The Matchday 2 encounter of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage between Chelsea (England) and Benfica (Portugal) is set to take place on September 30 at Stamford Bridge in London. Chelsea vs. Benfica: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Chelsea
The Londoners began their campaign with a 1-3 away defeat to Bayern Munich. This marks their fourth loss in the last five Champions League matches (1 win). Notably, for the first time in their Champions League history, Chelsea has lost three consecutive matches. During this period, they failed to score in three games, and Chelsea has kept a clean sheet in only one of their last seven matches in this tournament.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 10 of Chelsea's last 11 games in this tournament.
- At home, the team has not lost in 9 of their last 11 Champions League matches (8 wins, 1 draw).
- In 14 of their last 16 home matches in the Champions League, Chelsea did not concede more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Chelsea (4-3-3)
Robert Sanchez – Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Jorrell Hato, Marc Cucurella – Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandez, Malo Gusto – Pedro Neto, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Estevao.
The team has defenders Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, midfielders Cole Palmer, Dario Essugo, and forward Liam Delap in the infirmary.
Benfica
The first-round match against Qarabag did not spell trouble for the Portuguese side. The team took a two-goal lead, but Benfica could not hold onto this advantage, ultimately losing 2-3. This defeat was their first in the last five Champions League matches (3 wins, 1 draw). Additionally, the Portuguese ended a streak of four clean sheets in this tournament. However, they scored in 5 of their last 6 Champions League matches.
After the first-round defeat, there was a change in the coaching staff, with Jose Mourinho becoming the new head coach.
- At least one opponent failed to score in 5 of Benfica's last 7 Champions League matches.
- Away from home in this tournament, the team has not lost in 5 of their last 6 matches (4 wins, 1 draw).
- In 4 of their last 5 away matches in the Champions League, the club kept a clean sheet.
Predicted lineup for Benfica (4-3-3)
Anatoliy Trubin – Antonio Silva, Samuel Dall, Nicolas Otamendi, Amar Dedic – Richard Rios, Enzo Barrenechea, Georgiy Sudakov – Fredrik Aursnes, Evangelos Pavlidis, Dodi Lukebakio.
Defender Alexander Bah, midfielder Manu Silva, and forward Bruma are injured.
Referee
Daniel Siebert (Germany)
Matches – 16 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 77;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.8;
Red cards shown – 5;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 13%.
Chelsea vs. Benfica: Match Prediction
Chelsea failed to pick up points in the first round, but the opponent was quite challenging. The upcoming opponent is well within Chelsea's reach, especially since this match will be held at home, where the club has won 8 of their last 11 home Champions League matches (1 draw, 2 losses). Notably, both losses in this span were against Real Madrid, whose level is much higher than Benfica's.
Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge as the coach of the Portuguese side, having taken over after being dismissed from Fenerbahce due to an early exit in the qualifiers against Benfica. I’m not convinced this change will yield positive results in the short term, especially following the team's shocking result in the first round. If Benfica can lose at home to Qarabag, their chances against such an opponent away are even slimmer.
My prediction – Chelsea to Win
