Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Desperately seeking a Champions League boost on Tuesday night, Chelsea will welcome Benfica to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea
Starting with the hosts, while Chelsea might have been crowned Club World Cup champions back in July following a famous 3-0 romp against PSG over in the United States, Enzo Maresca’s men are at the heart of what has become a public struggle. Last seen over the weekend suffering a public collapse on home soil as they slumped to a 3-1 loss against Brighton, the Blues have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders. Getting their Champions League adventure underway with another 3-1 defeat at the hands of German giants Bayern Munich on September 17th, Chelsea have now lost three of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Hit with a shock 2-1 loss away at historic rivals Manchester United last week, the former Leicester boss will also have a mounting headache over his side’s extended defensive struggles.
Chelsea Team News
Despite being shown a straight red card against Brighton over the weekend, Trevor Chalobah is free to feature on Tuesday night. However, dealing with what has become a stacked injury list, Chelsea will be unable to call upon the likes of Wesley Fofana, Liam Delap and attacking talisman Cole Palmer.
While summer recruit Facundo Buonanotte might have been forced to miss out at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, the Brighton loanee will return to Maresca’s squad in midweek. Notching a third Premier League strike of the season last time out, ex-Benfica star Enzo Fernandez will start in the middle of the park.
Benfica
As for the visitors, officially appointing new boss Jose Mourinho earlier in the month, Benfica are enjoying life under the former Chelsea manager. Last seen over the weekend clinching a 2-1 victory at home against Gil Vicente, the Eagles should be relishing a trip to west London on Tuesday night. However, getting their respective European adventure underway with an infamous collapse on home soil as they eventually fell to an action-packed 3-2 defeat against Qarabag, Mourinho knows the importance of finding some crucial defensive stability. Forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate against Santa Clara prior to September’s international break, Benfica have now failed registered just a sole clean sheet from their last six appearances across all fronts.
Benfica Team News
All still dealing with respective knee injuries, Benfica will travel to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night without the trio of Nuno Felix, Manu and Danish international defender Alexander Bah. However, serving a domestic suspension over the weekend, Enzo Barrenechea will return to Mourinho’s travelling squad.
Bagging both goals during Benfica’s 2-1 victory against Gil Vicente on Friday and already recording five goals for club and country this season, striking talisman Vangelis Pavlidis will play a leading role in the final third.
Chelsea vs Benfica Key Factors to Consider
- When Chelsea and Benfica met over in the Club World Cup on June 28th, Maresca’s side clinched a 4-1 victory.
- However, Chelsea have lost three of their previous four appearances across all competitions.
- The Blues have registered just a single clean sheet from their previous seven appearances across all fronts.
- Likewise, Benfica have recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their last six outings.
- Including a brace against Gil Vicente over the weekend, Greek international Vangelis Pavlidis has recorded five goals for club and country so far this season.
Conclusion
While Chelsea might open Tuesday’s showdown pencilled in as a standout contender, the Premier League giants find themselves in the midst of what has become a public struggle. Suffering a major collapse on west London on Saturday as they eventually fell to a 3-1 loss against Brighton, Maresca’s side have lost three of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Likewise, showing some extended defensive issues on either side of September’s international break, Mourinho and his new squad should be relishing a trip to the English capital in midweek.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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