The round of 16 in the Club World Cup has arrived, featuring a match-up between Benfica and Chelsea that promises to highlight the tournament’s intensity. Both teams aspire to triumph in their respective leagues, with past disappointments pushing them to excel this time around. Chelsea, aiming for integration, has seen Liam Delap already scoring in the tournament, especially with Nicolas Jackson suspended for this crucial match.
Benfica also brings its share of momentum after defeating Bayern Munich in the group stage, necessitating their best efforts to continue their success. Angel Di Maria will be pivotal as they strive to progress in the tournament.
How to watch Benfica vs. Chelsea, odds
- Date: Saturday, June 28
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Live stream: Watch on DAZN (for free)
- Odds: Benfica +270; Draw +230; Chelsea +105
Last meeting
It’s been a considerable time since these two faced off, with their last encounter in 2013 during the Europa League, where Chelsea secured victory thanks to a late winner from Branislav Ivanovic. Surprisingly, Frank Lampard was playing for Chelsea at that time.
Predicted lineups
Benfica: Anatoliy Trubin, Sanyek Dahl, Nicolas Otamendi, Antonio Silva, Leandro Barreiro, Renato Sanches, Fredrik Aursnes, Kerem Akturkoglu, Gianluca Prestianni, Angel Di Maria, Vangelis Pavlidis
Chelsea: Filip Jorgensen, Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Liam Delap
Player to watch: Liam Delap, Chelsea
Having made an impact in this tournament, Liam Delap is poised for a significant challenge. His integration with Enzo Maresca has proved beneficial. This match not only serves as a test but is critical for building his confidence as he dons the number nine for Chelsea.
Storyline to watch: Are Chelsea ready for the Champions League?
Returning to Champions League football is essential for Chelsea, necessitating a careful squad rotation strategy to meet European requirements.
Prediction
Chelsea will likely maintain ball possession effectively against Benfica, with Delap expected to score again. Despite the low-scoring nature of the match, Chelsea will be satisfied with a win.
Pick: Benfica 0, Chelsea 1
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