The Blues were defeated by Bayern Munich 3-1 at the Allianz Arena last time out, and were taught a harsh lesson on their return to Europe’s top table.
The Conference League winners are looking to get back to winning ways against the Primeira Liga outfit, who recently appointed former Blues boss Mourinho after Bruno Lage, the ex-Wolves manager, was sacked following a shock defeat by Qarabag on matchday one of this competition.
Mourinho has already stirred the pot in the build-up to this game, calling his former club’s spending “crazy”, and remarking that they had “lost direction” for a period of time.
Enzo Maresca’s side will be keen to right the wrongs of their previous defeats, having fallen to both Manchester United and Brighton in their last two Premier League games.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Chelsea vs Benfica is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
The match will take place at Stamford Bridge
Where to watch Chelsea vs Benfica
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports. Coverage starts at 7pm BST on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate ahead of the 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Chelsea vs Benfica team news
For the world champions, talisman Cole Palmer is still out with a groin injury that has been troubling him since the start of the campaign.
Palmer’s absence is just the tip of the iceberg, with the Blues undergoing an injury crisis, particularly at centre-back.
Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo were both ruled out of the 3-1 defeat by Brighton with concussion and a calf injury respectively. which meant that deputy left-back Jorrel Hato deputised alongside Trevoh Chalobah, who saw red.
Longer-term absentees remain Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, and Levi Colwill, although there is some positive news, with Facundo Buonanotte able to return to action after he was ineligible to face his parent club at the weekend.
As for Benfica, they have three injury concerns.
The first is former RB Leipzig man Bruma, the tricky Portuguese winger, who is nursing an Achilles issue, while Manu Silva and Alexander Bah are both recovering from rupturing their anterior cruciate ligaments.
Chelsea vs Benfica prediction
Benfica have some dangerous players that could hurt a depleted Chelsea side, but the Premier League outfit should be heavy favourites to win this.
Even without the likes of Palmer, their first-choice centre-backs, and their dodgy form, they should have enough individual and collective quality to claim all three points here.
There will be added incentive to try and get one over Mourinho, too.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Chelsea vs Benfica match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
