Stamford Bridge prepares to welcome European royalty as Chelsea face Benfica in what promises to be a captivating Champions League group stage encounter. The Blues, fresh from their Club World Cup triumph and established among this season’s continental favorites, host Portuguese giants whose last European glory dates back to the swinging sixties, leaving generations of supporters yearning for renewed Champions League success.
Match Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Date | September 30, 2025 |
| Time | 17:00 UTC |
| Venue | Stamford Bridge, London |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League |
This Champions League group stage fixture brings together two storied European clubs with contrasting recent histories on the continental stage. Chelsea, buoyed by their summer Club World Cup success, enter as heavy favorites to maintain their perfect record against the Eagles. Benfica. The significance extends beyond mere group points, as both sides seek to establish early momentum in a competitive group phase that could determine their knockout stage aspirations.
Recent Form Analysis
Chelsea Last 5 Matches
| Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | Result |
| 23 Sep 2025 | EFL | Lincoln City | Away | W 1-2 |
| 20 Sep 2025 | EPL | Manchester United | Away | L 2-1 |
| 17 Sep 2025 | UCL | Bayern Munich | Home | L 3-1 |
| 13 Sep 2025 | EPL | Brentford | Away | D 2-2 |
| 30 Aug 2025 | EPL | Fulham | Home | W 2-0 |
Benfica Last 5 Matches
| Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | Result |
| 23 Sep 2025 | Primeira Liga | Rio Ave | Home | D 1-1 |
| 20 Sep 2025 | Primeira Liga | AVS | Away | W 0-3 |
| 16 Sep 2025 | UCL | Qarabag | Home | L 2-3 |
| 12 Sep 2025 | Primeira Liga | Santa Clara | Home | D 1-1 |
| 31 Aug 2025 | Primeira Liga | FC Alverca | Away | W 1-2 |
Benfica’s surprising home defeat to Qarabag raises questions about their Champions League readiness, though their domestic form remains relatively stable.
Key Stats & Analysis
Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Meetings)
| Date | Venue | Result | Competition |
| Jun 29, 2025 | Neutral | Chelsea 4-1 Benfica | FIFA Club World Cup |
| May 16, 2013 | Neutral | Chelsea 2-1 Benfica | UEFA Europa League Final |
| Apr 5, 2012 | Stamford Bridge | Chelsea 2-1 Benfica | UEFA Champions League |
| Mar 28, 2012 | Estádio da Luz | Benfica 0-1 Chelsea | UEFA Champions League |
| Jul 18, 2005 | Neutral | Benfica 0-1 Chelsea | International Friendly |
Squad Value
| Club | Squad Value (Estimated) |
| Chelsea | €1.08bn |
| Benfica | €335.80m |
Players to Watch
 |  |  |
| Estêvão Willian | Moisés Caicedo | Reece James |
Chelsea:
- Estêvão Willian – Brazilian wunderkid bringing flair and unpredictability to the attack
- Moisés Caicedo – Midfield enforcer crucial to Chelsea’s defensive stability
- Reece James – Dynamic wing-back whose pace and crossing ability threaten from wide areas
 |  |  |
| Fredrik Aursnes | Nicolás Otamendi | Anatoliy Trubin |
Benfica:
- Fredrik Aursnes – Norwegian midfielder tasked with controlling tempo and distribution
- Nicolás Otamendi – Experienced center-back whose leadership will be vital against Chelsea’s attack
- Anatoliy Trubin – Goalkeeper whose shot-stopping ability could keep Benfica competitive
Tactical Insight
Chelsea’s approach will center on controlling possession while exploiting Benfica’s defensive vulnerabilities with aggressive wing play. Their home European record suggests comfort in dictating tempo against continental opposition.
Benfica’s strategy likely involves defensive compactness and rapid counter-attacks, utilizing their impressive away European record built on disciplined defensive displays.
The tactical battle may hinge on whether Benfica can withstand Chelsea’s early pressure and create opportunities from set-pieces or counter-attacks. Chelsea’s superior individual quality should tell over 90 minutes.
Chelsea’s dominance in previous encounters stems from their ability to capitalize on key moments, while Benfica’s challenge lies in breaking a psychological barrier against English opposition of this stature.
Score Prediction
Predicted Score: Chelsea 2-0 Benfica
Chelsea’s overwhelming historical dominance against Benfica, combined with their superior squad depth and home advantage, points toward a comfortable victory. Benfica’s impressive away European record provides hope, but their recent Champions League vulnerabilities, highlighted by the home defeat to Qarabag, suggest defensive frailties that Chelsea’s attack can exploit.
While Benfica possess individual talents capable of troubling any defense, Chelsea’s consistency in big European nights at Stamford Bridge should prove decisive.
Expect Chelsea to control proceedings from early stages, with their pace and movement eventually breaking down Benfica’s resistance for a professional, if unspectacular, victory that maintains their perfect record in this fixture.