Chelsea XI vs Benfica: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Club World Cup | OneFootball

Cole Palmer will return to the starting line-up

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will again rotate his squad for tonight's Club World Cup last-16 clash against Benfica.

A place in the quarter-finals is on the line tonight, but the Portuguese giants will prove the Blues' biggest test yet.

Maresca has so far been ringing the changes from game to game to spread the workload due to the sweltering conditions.

Further rotation is likely, with Maresca having said not to do so would be "impossible", but striker Nicolas Jackson remains suspended.

The Senegal international was handed a two-match ban for his straight red card against Flamengo last week.

That could mean another start for new signing Liam Delap, who has impressed in the tournament so far and scored his first goal for the club against Esperance.

Maresca said: "We know Benfica are a top club with a top manager and first-class players. It is going to be very difficult but we were 32 teams, now 16 remains and we hope to go to the quarter-finals."

Chelsea predicted XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Delap

Suspended: Jackson

Time and date: 8pm BST, Saturday, June 28, 2025

Venue: Bank of America Stadium, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

How to watch: The match will be shown live globally online via DAZN. DAZN is the global broadcaster of the new-look Club World Cup. No subscription is required to watch the game, with the entire tournament available to their 'Freemium' members, which means you only need to sign up for a free DAZN account.

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