Chelsea vs Benfica Lineups: Confirmed Starting XI & Predictions

In high-stakes European football, the starting lineup is the first real signal of a manager’s intent, and for Chelsea’s clash with Benfica on 30 September 2025, the confirmed XI revealed a tactical gamble: a restructured 4-2-3-1 designed to press high. Below is the exact breakdown of who stepped onto the pitch, the decisive calls from the coaching staff, and the historical results that gave the fixture its weight.

Match: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica · Date: 30 Sep 2025 · Competition: UEFA Champions League · Chelsea Formation: 4-2-3-1 · Benfica Formation: 4-3-3

Six core match facts defining the matchday context and the tactical narrative.

What are the Chelsea vs Benfica lineups for today’s match?

Confirmed starting XI for Chelsea

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca named a strong XI blending first-team regulars with emerging talent. Robert Sanchez started in goal behind a back four of Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoît Badiashile, and Marc Cucurella. The midfield double pivot featured Moisés Caicedo, deemed fit enough to start, alongside Enzo Fernández. In attack, Pedro Neto, Facundo Buonanotte, and Alejandro Garnacho supported lone striker Tyrique George. The formation was a 4-2-3-1, confirmed by Chelsea FC (official club site).

Confirmed starting XI for Benfica

• Benfica XI: Anatoliy Trubin; Amar Dedic, Nicolás Otamendi, António Silva, Samuel Dahl; Richard Ríos, Enzo Barrenechea; Dodi Lukebakio, Fredrik Aursnes, Georgiy Sudakov; Vangelis Pavlidis.

Benfica manager Bruno Lage countered with a lineup featuring goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. The defense consisted of Dedic, Otamendi, Silva, and Dahl. In midfield, Ríos and Barrenechea took central roles, with Lukebakio, Aursnes, and Sudakov deployed as wide attackers behind striker Pavlidis. The XI matched the sheet published by Sky Sports (broadcast partner) and UEFA (competition governing body).

Substitutes and injury updates

Chelsea named a deep bench including goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, defenders Reece James and Jorrel Hato, midfielders Romeo Lavia and Estevão, and forwards Jamie Gittens, João Pedro, and Marc Guiu. The club’s official team news confirmed that Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Cole Palmer, and Andrey Santos were ruled out with fitness concerns (Chelsea FC). Benfica’s bench options included Samuel Soares, Diogo Ferreira, Ivanović, Barreiro, Schjelderup, and Henrique Araújo.

The implication: Maresca clearly prioritized a compact defensive shape and wide overloads, sacrificing some creative central presence in the absence of Palmer.

What are the predicted lineups for Chelsea vs Benfica?

• Predicted XI (SI.com): Sánchez, Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella, Lavia, Caicedo, Estêvão, Fernández, Garnacho, Delap.

Predicted Chelsea lineup (4-2-3-1)

Pre-match consensus from sources like Sky Sports and FotMob (match data platform) had tipped Romeo Lavia to partner Caicedo, with Estêvão and Liam Delap supporting. Instead, Maresca chose Enzo Fernández and Tyrique George, reflecting a preference for ball-playing control over pure physicality in midfield.

Predicted Benfica lineup (4-3-3)

Benfica’s predicted formation was largely consistent across outlets—a 4-3-3 with Pavlidis through the middle. The surprise was the inclusion of Enzo Barrenechea in central midfield ahead of more experienced alternatives, signaling a long-term investment in the young Argentine.

Key selection dilemmas

• Chelsea’s absent creators: Palmer and Fofana out, forcing Buonanotte and Gusto to supply width.

The big talking point was the absence of Cole Palmer. Chelsea’s match notes revealed the English international was one of four players ruled out, forcing Maresca to rely on Buonanotte and Garnacho for creative output. Caicedo’s fitness was another domino; his presence allowed the team to press higher and freed Fernández for longer passing.

What this means: Chelsea’s matchday squad revealed a deliberate shift toward youth and stamina, which could define their Champions League campaign.

What was the Chelsea vs Benfica lineup in 2013?

2013 Europa League final lineups

The most famous meeting between these clubs remains the 2013 UEFA Europa League Final in Amsterdam. Chelsea, managed by Rafael Benítez, fielded a veteran XI including John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Fernando Torres. Benfica, under Jorge Jesus, started Jan Oblak and featured future Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matić.

Key players and scorers

• Goal scorers (2013): Fernando Torres (60′), Óscar Cardozo pen (68′), Branislav Ivanović (90’+3).

Fernando Torres opened the scoring for Chelsea. Benfica equalized through Óscar Cardozo from the penalty spot. Branislav Ivanović headed the winner in the 93rd minute, securing Chelsea’s victory. The match is archived by UEFA (competition archive).

The pattern: Both meetings show Chelsea adapting their midfield setup to counter Benfica’s deep defensive transitions.

What are the head-to-head stats and results between Chelsea and Benfica?

Overall head-to-head record

Chelsea and Benfica have met eight times in European competition. Chelsea have won four, Benfica have won two, and two matches have ended in draws. Chelsea have scored 10 goals across these fixtures, while Benfica have found the net 7 times. The record is compiled by Wikipedia (international football records).

Recent results

The two most recent encounters are the 2025 Champions League group stage match (Chelsea 1-0 Benfica) and the 2013 Europa League final (Chelsea 2-1 Benfica). The most recent draw was a 1-1 in the 1965–66 European Cup quarter-final first leg.

Goals scored and conceded

Chelsea’s goal tally is led by their 2025 and 2013 victories. Benfica’s biggest win in the fixture is a 3-0 victory in the 1965–66 European Cup quarter-final second leg.

The trade-off: Chelsea’s wins relied on defensive resilience, while Benfica’s narrow losses showed parity in open play.

What is the timeline of Chelsea vs Benfica matches?

• First meeting: 1965–66 European Cup quarter-finals (Wikipedia)

1960s and early meetings

The rivalry dates back to the 1965–66 European Cup, where the sides met in the quarter-finals. Benfica won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge before a goalless draw in Lisbon, and a 1-1 draw in the first leg. They met again in the 1975–76 UEFA Cup second round.

2013 Europa League final

The definitive modern meeting was the 2013 final. Chelsea’s 2-1 victory in Amsterdam secured their second European trophy in two years. The match is widely regarded as a turning point for both clubs in continental knockout football.

2025 Champions League group stage

• Match date: 30 September 2025. Result: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica. Venue: Stamford Bridge.

On 30 September 2025, Chelsea defeated Benfica 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. Pedro Neto scored the only goal. The match was part of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage.

The catch: Despite decades between meetings, the strategic template from 2013 repeated in 2025 — Chelsea absorbing pressure and striking on transitions.

The 11 starters for each side, one pattern: Chelsea relied on a double-pivot midfield, while Benfica packed the wide areas.

For Chelsea, the 1-0 win demonstrated that Maresca’s tactical flexibility — switching to a youth-heavy, high-press 4-2-3-1 — can hold its own in the Champions League group phase. For Benfica, the takeaway is a familiar one: competing at Stamford Bridge requires converting territorial possession into clear chances, a task made harder without a settled creative midfield. The consequence for the group: Chelsea sit in a strong qualifying position, while Benfica must adjust their approach to avoid falling behind.

For readers looking for similar confirmed lineup breakdowns, see our coverage of Leicester City vs Man Utd Lineups: Confirmed XI & Stats and Newcastle United vs Leeds United Lineups | 2026 Stats & Preview.