Benfica vs Chelsea F.C. Lineups: Predicted XIs & Team News

Anyone who’s followed Chelsea’s resurgence under Enzo Maresca knows the midfield press is the real story — and against Benfica at Stamford Bridge, that press earned them a commanding 4-1 win in June 2025. This match-day intelligence pack blends the predicted starting XIs, the tactical shifts that defined the result, and what the confirmed lineups reveal about both managers’ plans.

Latest match result: Chelsea 4-1 Benfica (June 28, 2025) ·
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London ·
Competition: UEFA Champions League group stage ·
Kick-off time: 20:00 BST, 30 September 2025 ·
Chelsea formation (predicted): 4-2-3-1 ·
Benfica formation (predicted): 4-2-3-1

Chelsea’s 4-1 win in June was built on a high press that forced Benfica into errors — but Benfica’s starting XI at Stamford Bridge featured a reworked midfield with Barrenechea and Ríos designed to bypass that exact pressure.

The upshot

What are the Benfica vs Chelsea lineups today?

What is Chelsea’s lineup against Benfica?

Sports Illustrated’s predicted lineup for Chelsea against Benfica on 30 September 2025 deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation. Robert Sánchez started in goal, protected by a back four of Malo Gusto (right-back), Trevoh Chalobah and Benoît Badiashile (center-backs), and Marc Cucurella (left-back). Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia formed the double pivot, with Estêvão, Enzo Fernández, and Alejandro Garnacho lining up behind striker João Pedro, according to Sports Illustrated (soccer analyst).

• GK: Robert Sánchez
• Def: Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoît Badiashile, Marc Cucurella
• Mid: Moisés Caicedo, Roméo Lavia
• Att: Estêvão, Enzo Fernández, Alejandro Garnacho
• ST: João Pedro

What is Benfica’s lineup against Chelsea?

Sports Illustrated also projected Benfica in a 4-2-3-1 shape. Anatoliy Trubin started in goal, Amar Dedić at right-back, Nicolás Otamendi and António Silva as center-backs, Samuel Dahl at left-back. Enzo Barrenechea and Richard Ríos anchored midfield, with Dodi Lukebakio, Georgiy Sudakov, and Fredrik Aursnes supporting striker Vangelis Pavlidis, as reported by Sports Illustrated (soccer analyst).

• GK: Anatoliy Trubin
• Def: Amar Dedić, Nicolás Otamendi, António Silva, Samuel Dahl
• Mid: Enzo Barrenechea, Richard Ríos
• Att: Dodi Lukebakio, Georgiy Sudakov, Fredrik Aursnes
• ST: Vangelis Pavlidis

ESPN’s expected lineups matched the same 4-2-3-1 structures for both sides, confirming the tactical symmetry heading into the match, according to ESPN (broadcaster).

The pattern: Both managers opted for identical formations, but the personnel choices — particularly Chelsea’s double pivot of Caicedo and Lavia versus Benfica’s Barrenechea and Ríos — set up a direct midfield battle that shaped the outcome.

What is the predicted lineup for Benfica vs Chelsea?

How do predicted lineups differ from actual?

The predicted lineups published before kickoff generally matched the confirmed starters. Chelsea’s predicted XI from SI showed João Pedro as striker and Garnacho on the left wing — both materialized in the confirmed lineup. Benfica’s predicted XI from SI also held, with Sudakov and Lukebakio retaining their roles, per Sports Illustrated (soccer analyst) and Sports Illustrated (soccer analyst).

Key differences: Reece James was listed in ESPN’s expected Chelsea XI but was marked as a doubt and ultimately did not start. Lavia started in the double pivot despite earlier injury concerns.

Which players are likely to start based on recent form?

Chelsea’s attack — Palmer (6 goals) and João Pedro — had been their most consistent threat. Benfica relied heavily on Pavlidis (4 goals) with Sudakov pulling strings behind him. Both sets of predicted lineups reflected these form trends, with no surprise omissions, as confirmed by ESPN (broadcaster).

Chelsea fans watching the midfield pairing of Caicedo and Lavia will see the engine that drove the 4-1 win. If either is subbed off early, Benfica’s Ríos has the mobility to exploit that gap.

What to watch

What was the Chelsea vs Benfica lineup in 2013?

What was the score in the 2013 match?

On 15 May 2013, Chelsea defeated Benfica 2-1 in the UEFA Europa League final in Amsterdam. The lineups, substitutions, and goal scorers are officially archived on UEFA.com, according to the governing body’s historical match database, UEFA (governing body).

Who scored for Chelsea in 2013?

Fernando Torres scored Chelsea’s first goal in the 60th minute, and Branislav Ivanović scored the winner in the 93rd minute. Benfica’s equalizer came from Óscar Cardozo in the 68th minute, as recorded by UEFA (governing body).

The catch: The 2013 meeting was a one-off final on neutral ground. The 2025 clash was a group-stage fixture at Stamford Bridge — different stakes, but both ended in Chelsea wins.

What is the prediction for Chelsea vs Benfica?

What are the odds?

Sports Illustrated’s match preview assessed Chelsea as strong favorites given their home advantage at Stamford Bridge and recent 4-1 victory over Benfica in June 2025. Odds reflected Chelsea’s superior form and depth, per Sports Illustrated (soccer analyst).

What is the expert prediction?

Sports Illustrated predicted a Chelsea win, citing their pressing structure and Benfica’s struggles when forced into turnovers. The prediction also noted Chelsea’s 2-0-1 head-to-head record against Benfica in recent encounters, according to Sports Illustrated (soccer analyst).

When is Chelsea vs Benfica today?

What time does the match start?

The match kicks off at 20:00 BST on 30 September 2025 at Stamford Bridge, London. This schedule is confirmed by UEFA (governing body).

Which channel is showing the match?

Broadcasters include TNT Sports in the UK and CBS in the US. Details are available from ESPN (broadcaster).

Internal links:

• Leeds United vs West Ham Lineups: Confirmed & Predicted XI
• Europa League Final 2026: Date, Venue, and Teams