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Chelsea vs Benfica – Predicted lineup and team news

Chelsea welcome Benfica to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday for a Champions League fixture dominated by the return of ‘The Special One’, José Mourinho.

While the focus will be on their former manager, the current team is in desperate need of a result. A crisis of form has seen Enzo Maresca’s side win just one of their last five games.

The pressure on Maresca was intensified by a damaging home defeat to Brighton at the weekend, which followed a loss in Munich in their European opener. Chelsea are currently on their longest-ever losing streak in the Champions League (three games). Therefore, a positive result is vital to kickstart their campaign and ease the growing criticism.

Chelsea vs Benfica – Predicted lineup and team news

Chelsea team news

Enzo Maresca’s selection is severely hampered by an extensive injury crisis. Key players Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Wesley Fofana are all ruled out, while Moisés Caicedo and João Pedro face late fitness tests. The potential absence of Pedro could force youngster Tyrique George into a makeshift centre-forward role.

#UCL nights 🆚 S.L.Benfica! ⏪ pic.twitter.com/6qFVa270ui

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 29, 2025

However, the manager is boosted by Trevoh Chalobah’s availability, whose domestic suspension does not apply here. Facundo Buonanotte is also back in contention after being ineligible to face his parent club at the weekend.