Club World Cup: Euro Summit in States

Benfica vs Chelsea

So this isn’t quite the full-on heavyweight clash this Club World Cup will likely produce a few times over the next couple of weeks.

After Flamengo produced some South American magic and romance, this SBOTOP observer, along with a number of fans, were fully anticipating a Bayern Munich – Chelsea showdown in the last 16.

However, Benfica went and defeated the Bavarians to top their group and book their place in the knockout stages, as Chelsea made sure of their place with a 3-0 win over Esperance de Tunis.

The upshot, though, is that we still have a clash between two big clubs and, based on history, it’s a perfect time for Club World Cup 2025 highlights and, perhaps, for this fabled Portuguese institution to gain some revenge.

 

Talking Points

That’s because Bruno Lage’s men, who provided a resolute defensive performance in their 1-0 victory over the Germans, have never defeated the west Londoners.

Lage is well known to Premier League fans following a short spell in charge of Wolves in 2022 and has some genuine talent at his disposal.

Against Bayern, Benfica managed just 28 percent possession, but their right-sided efforts with and without the ball were a notable theme with the trio of Angel Di Maria – the 37-year-old former Real Madrid, Manchester United, and PSG right-winger – Fredrik Aursnes and Gianluca Prestianni combining impressively.

The Portuguese side could be without a few key men, as PSG-linked Tomas Araujo remains an injury concern, with Alexander Bah and Manuel Silva both ruled out for sure.

On the upside for Benfica, full-back Alvaro Carreras, linked with a move to Real Madrid, will return from suspension, while former Torino striker Andrea Belotti has returned.

Benfica ended last season as runners-up in the Portuguese top-flight, with their tally of 80 points matching what they achieved the previous year.

The question in my mind is, are they capable of winning against a big beast, as, remember, Bayern had already qualified, so they may have taken their foot off the gas on Tuesday night.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who guided the west Londoners to a fourth-place finish in the recently concluded campaign, will be without Nicolas Jackson as he serves the second of a two-match ban for a daft red card against Flamengo.

The Senegal international might be resigning himself to watching much of the rest of Chelsea’s challenge in the States this summer from the bench, given new recruit Liam Delap notched his first Chelsea goal in the victory ES Tunis.

Maresca always believed Delap would adapt quickly to life at Chelsea and has “no doubt” the £30 million summer signing will add to his first goal for the club.

I expect him to keep his place in the starting XI, while Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, and captain Reece James are all expected to return to the starting XI after enjoying full rests in midweek.

With Saturday’s tie promising to be an interesting tactical contest, keep an eye out for the battle in wide areas — it could prove crucial.

 

History

It’s three meetings, three Chelsea successes so far, and all of the games will hold a special memory for the west Londoners.

The last time they met was in the final of the 2013 Europa League when Branislav Ivanovic headed a 90th-minute winner to clinch the trophy, this after Fernando Torres and Oscar Cardozo (penalty) had traded goals in Amsterdam.

The season before also saw Chelsea win home and away in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the year they went on to win the trophy for the first time.

Salomon Kalou scored the only goal in Lisbon before Frank Lampard (penalty) and Raul Meireles netted in a 2-1 success at Stamford Bridge for a 3-1 aggregate win. Javi Garcia had replied for the Portuguese.

 

Betting Tip

Chelsea are big favourites with the Club World Cup 2025 betting odds. They are priced 1X2 @ 2.08 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.16. The draw is on offer @ 3.07 with Benfica backing options with 1X2 @ 3.16 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 1.93.

A third successive 2-1 Chelsea win will pay out @ 7.80 with Correct Score, whereas you can earn a pay day @ 12.50 if Benfica claim a first ever victory against them by the same scoreline.

I think there will be a few goals and have considered total goal 0-1 @ 3.04, 2-3 @ 1.98 and 4-6 @ 3.42.

Ultimately, I am going for honours even, although obviously one side will have to triumph after extra time or penalties in this knockout tie.

   

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