Chelsea (2-0-1) and Benfica (2-1-0) will face off today at 4:00 p.m. EDT at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Chelsea is favored at a +110 price, with the over/under set at 2.5 (-104o / -128u) goals.
Let's get into my Chelsea vs. Benfica prediction.
Chelsea vs. Benfica Betting Analysis
Benfica face Chelsea after surprisingly topping Group C, edging out one of the tournament's favourites, Bayern Munich.
Riding high from a notable 1-0 win over the Bavarians, Benfica's goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin starred with a standout performance, a feat that will be crucial against Chelsea’s dynamic and young attackers.
Led by experienced manager Bruno Lage, Benfica are expected to field a similar lineup, provided the sweltering 36-degree heat hasn't exhausted his players.
With six wins against European sides this season, Benfica has proven to be a formidable opponent, losing only 14 out of 53 UEFA matches since the 2020/21 season.
Meanwhile, Chelsea, who finished second in Group B after a narrow defeat to Flamengo, is eager to progress further. Newcomer Liam Delap is set to start after scoring in their 3-0 win over ES Tunis, especially with Nicolas Jackson suspended.
Manager Enzo Maresca, confident in his squad's depth, is likely to field his strongest team. Chelsea's aggressive starts have seen them lead at half-time in all their Club World Cup matches, contrasting with Benfica's historically slower starts.
While Benfica's win over a significantly rotated Bayern side was impressive, the resultant fatigue could tip the scales in Chelsea's favour, possibly leading to the game being decided in extra-time or beyond.
Given that past meetings have been narrowly decided, this promises to be another tightly contested affair.
