Chelsea v Benfica: Line-ups, stats and preview as Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge

Match Preview

Preview for Chelsea v Benfica

The presence of Jose Mourinho looms large over Benfica’s visit to Chelsea tomorrow night.

The Portuguese was appointed Eagles boss earlier this month after being sacked by Fenerbahce. He returns to Stamford Bridge as arguably the greatest manager in Chelsea’s history after winning seven major trophies – including three Premier League crowns – across two spells.

He also won the Champions League at Inter Milan as well as silverware at Real Madrid, Manchester United and Roma but the modern perception is that he should no longer be considered an elite coach with his methods often regarded as negative.

Mourinho claims that is nonsense and says he is better than ever.

He told UEFA.com: “I’m better today than I was before. I think a coach is better after going through many experiences. The main difference I recognise in myself is the fact that maybe in the beginning I was more self-centred, and I changed in a way that, I don’t know… I feel like I’m more altruistic.

“I feel like I’m in football to help others rather than to help myself. I’m here to help my players more than to think about what’s going to happen in my life. I think more about the club, I think more about the fans’ joy, more than about me.”

He also says he possesses the ability to block out the sentiment of returning to Chelsea, at least during the game, adding: “[Stamford Bridge is] a stadium where I won three Premier Leagues; I made history with Chelsea. Chelsea belongs to my history, I belong to Chelsea history. But that’s football. They want to win, I want to win.

“I will realise where I am before the match, I will realise where I am after the match; during the match, I think I have the capacity to forget and just to compete.”

The 62-year-old will be doing his utmost to heap more pressure on Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton has left the Blues in eighth in the Premier League. It was their second successive defeat after being reduced to 10 men with Trevoh Chalobah sent off eight minutes into the second half.

That and the loss at Manchester United last weekend has led to reports suggesting the Italian’s job is under threat, less than three months after he led them to the Club World Cup title.

But Maresca was in bullish mood when he addressed the media at lunchtime.

He said: “After reviewing the last [two] games for sure I could have done better in terms of decisions. 

“It’s like a learning process to play with 10 players. For any manager it is not something normal. Unfortunately for us it happened two times. 

“The only game we lost [in last six months] that did not include a red card was Bayern Munich away. 

“There is no reason to create panic. Football is a crazy world. If you lose five games in six months and feel the need to defend yourself then football is a crazy world. 

“I don’t think we need to defend ourselves in this moment because the reality is I have a very good feeling with the squad that we have. 

“I think compared to last season we all improved. The players because they have played games and have more experience. For me personally as a manager I feel better than last year – that is because I am learning.

“For sure there are many things I need to learn, but it is part of the process and I have no doubt that in the coming years we are going to get better and better.”

Team News for Chelsea v Benfica

Chelsea are monitoring the fitness of Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos. Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana are definitely out.

Enzo Barrenechea is back for Benfica after being suspended for the win over Gil Vicente at the weekend.

Manu Silva, Alexander Bah and Bruma are injured while Gianluca Prestianni is away at the Under-20 World Cup.

Predicted line-ups for Chelsea v Benfica

Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, Lavia; Estevao, Neto, Garnacho; Pedro

Benfica: Trubin; Dedic, Otamendi, A. Silva, Dahl; Barrenechea, Rios; Lukebakio, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis

How to watch Chelsea v Benfica: TV and online streams

Chelsea v Benfica kicks off at 8pm tomorrow night. You can watch it on TNT Sports and stream it via the discovery+ app.

Stats for Chelsea v Benfica

• Chelsea have won all four of their competitive meetings with Benfica (9-3 aggregate scoreline), with the most recent of those coming earlier this year at the FIFA Club World Cup (4-1 in a last 16 match)
• Benfica are winless in their last eight meetings with English teams (D3 L5), with their last such victory coming over a decade ago, against Tottenham in the UEFA Europa League (3-1 in the last 16 first leg). 

Prediction for Chelsea v Benfica

Mourinho will do his utmost to disrupt Chelsea but the Premier League side should have too much for a Benfica team that have yet to sparkle under his leadership.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Benfica