Comments and predictions for Chelsea vs Benfica: Mourinho regrets the reunion

Latest Chelsea vs Benfica squad information

Chalobah is suspended from the Premier League but is available for the Champions League. Facundo Buonanotte is also back after being banned from playing against his parent club last weekend.

However, Chelsea still have a long injury list: Cole Palmer (groin), Levi Colwill (knee), Liam Delap (thigh), Dario Essugo (thigh), Tosin Adarabioyo (calf) and Wesley Fofana (head injury) are all absent. Mykhaylo Mudryk continues to be suspended due to doping.

Maresca could keep Chalobah in the starting line-up before his Premier League suspension, but will also consider bringing in Benoit Badiashile and Malo Gusto in defence. Up front, Romeo Lavia and Alejandro Garnacho are waiting for their chance to start.

On Benfica's side, Manu Silva and Alexander Bah are still recovering from cruciate ligament injuries, while Bruma could be out until 2026 due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. In addition, young talent Gianluca Prestianni is absent due to attending the U20 World Cup in Chile.

Despite the loss of players, Benfica still has hope in Vangelis Pavlidis – the striker who scored both goals against Gil Vicente last weekend, bringing his total goals this season to 7. Midfielder Enzo Barrenechea has completed his suspension and will return to the squad.

Latest expected lineup for Chelsea vs Benfica

Chelsea:

Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, Lavia; Estevao, Buonanotte, Garnacho; Pedro

Benfica:

Trubin; Dedic, Otamendi, A. Silva, Dahl; Barrenechea, Rios; Lukebakio, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis

Latest Chelsea vs Benfica football review

Despite winning every UEFA title possible, Chelsea still started their 2025/26 Champions League campaign in a disappointing way against Bayern Munich - the opponent that made them feel humiliated in the 2012 final.

This time, the German team continued to cause sadness with a 3-1 victory, despite a beautiful goal from Cole Palmer. Harry Kane scored twice, and Trevoh Chalobah accidentally scored an own goal, extending his "dark streak" against Chelsea.

The disaster did not stop there. Last weekend, Chalobah received a red card early in the second half, paving the way for Brighton to come back and win 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Thus, Enzo Maresca's team have lost three of their last four matches, only beating Lincoln City in the League Cup.

Chelsea’s summer in the US has taken a toll on their injury numbers, and they are also on a three-game losing streak in the Champions League – the longest in the club’s history. However, Blues fans can take some solace: the team hasn’t lost a group stage match at home since 2019.

On the contrary, their opponents Benfica also entered the second round with many worries. In the opening match, they led Qarabag 2-0 but then unexpectedly lost 2-3 at Estadio da Luz. That defeat cost coach Bruno Lage his job.

Benfica's board of directors decided to put their trust in a familiar face: Jose Mourinho. The "Special One" had his first top-level coaching job at Benfica in 2000, and his return has been effective as he helped the team win 2 and draw 1 in 3 Primeira Liga matches, including a 2-1 comeback against Gil Vicente last weekend.

However, history is not on Benfica’s side. They have failed to win any of their last seven European games against English teams, and have lost all three of their previous meetings with Chelsea, including the 2012/13 Europa League final.

Latest Chelsea vs Benfica score prediction

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the results of the match.Chelsea vs Benficaas follows:

• Sportsmole:Chelsea 2-0 Benfica

• WhoScore:Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
• We predict:Chelsea 2-1 Benfica

When and where to watch Chelsea vs Benfica live?

To watch the Chelsea vs Benfica match live in the Champion League at 2:00 a.m. on October 1, viewers can watch it onK+ Sport,K+PMor online sports channels. Wish you have fun watching football.