Chelsea welcome Jose Mourinho back to Stamford Bridge when they host Benfica in the UEFA Champions League on the back of successive Premier League defeats.
Enzo Maresca’s side were beaten 3-1 in their first Champions League game of the season at Bayern Munich, and things have not improved since then, with losses to Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion, which both saw the Blues have a player sent off, sandwiched by an EFL Cup win over Lincoln City.
Former Chelsea boss Mourinho took over for a second spell as Benfica coach following their stunning collapse against Qarabag in the first round of league phase fixtures. Benfica surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at home to the Azerbaijani side.
The return of Mourinho will add a sense of theatre to proceedings in west London. The Sporting News betting preview has all the latest odds, tips and predictions for this clash.
Chelsea vs. Benfica Match Preview
Chelsea are dealing with injuries at the back and further forward, with talisman Cole Palmer still unavailable.
They are unsurprisingly the favourites to get back to winning ways in this one, but will likely have to work hard to claim all three points, with Mourinho sure to make his team difficult to break down.
Benfica have won two of their three games domestically since Mourinho replaced Bruno Lage, drawing the other. They have the quality to hurt Chelsea and, as such, a draw that would increase the scrutiny on Maresca seems a likely outcome.
The Sporting News Score Prediction for Chelsea vs. Benfica
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica
Chelsea vs. Benfica Lineups
Here’s how we think these two sides will line up at Stamford Bridge.
Romeo Lavia could come back into the Chelsea team in place of Andrey Santos in midfield, while at the back Jorrel Hato may be rested with an eye on Liverpool at the weekend.
Mourinho has the option of bringing Enzo Barrenechea back into his midfield. The Argentine was on target in Benfica’s defeat to Qarabag.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs. Benfica
(4-3-3, right to left)
Sanchez (GK) — James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella — Lavia, Caicedo, Enzo — Gittens, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto
Injured: Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo
Suspended: Mudryk
Benfica predicted lineup vs. Chelsea
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
Trubin (GK) — Dedic, A. Silva, Otamendi, Dahl — Rios, Aursnes — Ivanovic, Sudakov, Schjelderup — Pavlidis
Injured: Bruma, Manu Silva, Bah
Suspended: None
Chelsea vs. Benfica winner odds, correct score betting
Chelsea are the favourites with best odds of 1.67 with Parimatch. The draw is priced up at 4.05 with the bookmaker, while Benfica are out at 5.25 for an upset victory.
Our 1-1 prediction is also at good odds with Dafabet, at 7.96, but here's the best available odds for five of the other most likely results.
| Score | Odds* | Bet With |
| Chelsea 2-1 | 8.21 | Parimatch |
| Chelsea 2-0 | 8.65 | Parimatch |
| Chelsea 1-0 | 8.46 | Dafabet |
| Chelsea 3-1 | 12.37 | Parimatch |
| Chelsea 3-0 | 12.86 | Puntit |
*Click odds to bet direct with our selected partners. Odds correct at time of publish.
Chelsea vs. Benfica team news
- The absence of Palmer remains the most glaring for Chelsea, though the impressive recent performances of Estevao have provided some solace.
- Set to be suspended against Liverpool following his red card in the loss to Brighton, Trevor Chalobah will likely play the full game against Benfica.
- Fredrik Aursnes would be the leading candidate to give way if Barrenechea comes back into the Benfica XI.
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Chelsea vs. Benfica Betting Tips
- Both Teams To Score (BTTS) and Over 2.5 goals: 1.95 with Parimatch
Jose Mourinho will be desperate to avoid a slip-up against his old club, while Benfica have been flying high, remaining unbeaten in the three games since his recent return to the bench.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have struggled upfront due to injuries, but it’s at the back where they've really been vulnerable. Enzo Maresca is without key defenders Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo, while Wesley Fofana's participation is uncertain after a concussion. Maresca's side have conceded in five straight matches, shipping 11 goals in that span.
Benfica have been in fine scoring form themselves, finding the net in eight consecutive games, though keeping a clean sheet against a Chelsea side brimming with attacking talent will be no easy task.
The standout tip here is backing both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 1.95 — a solid call given the history between these sides and the fact both have recently shown they can create chances just as easily as they can concede them.
How to watch Chelsea vs. Benfica: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England
- Time & TV/Stream: 12:30 a.m. IST | Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV app