Chelsea ready for Mourinho reunion as season stutters | OneFootball

Chelsea vs Benfica Champions League Preview

Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge for their first home Champions League fixture of the campaign, with Benfica and a familiar figure waiting for them. The build-up has been dominated by Jose Mourinho, back at the Bridge in charge of the Portuguese giants, as he attempts to upset his old club.

Mourinho factor in spotlight

It is impossible to separate this fixture from the presence of Mourinho. Benfica turned to their former player and manager after Bruno Lage’s sacking, with the new appointment immediately rekindling old storylines. Mourinho has already made headlines by criticising Chelsea’s approach, calling their spending “crazy” and claiming the club had “lost direction” in recent years.

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For Chelsea, the return of a legend in the opposing dugout only adds intrigue to what is already a crucial night. Their Champions League return began with a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, a sobering reminder of the step up in quality at this level. After consecutive domestic losses to Manchester United and Brighton, Enzo Maresca is under pressure to restore momentum.

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Team news shaping the contest

Injuries continue to define Chelsea’s season. Cole Palmer remains sidelined with a groin problem that has hampered him since August. At the back, the crisis has deepened. Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo were unavailable against Brighton due to concussion and a calf issue, forcing 19-year-old Jorrel Hato to deputise alongside Trevoh Chalobah, who was later sent off.

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Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Levi Colwill remain long-term absentees, though there is positive news with Facundo Buonanotte returning after being ineligible at the weekend.

Benfica have their own setbacks. Winger Bruma is nursing an Achilles problem, while Manu Silva and Alexander Bah are recovering from serious knee injuries. Still, their squad carries threats capable of testing Chelsea’s depleted defence.

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Stakes at Stamford Bridge

For Maresca, this match carries extra weight. Defeat against Bayern can be excused, but dropping points at home to Benfica would leave Chelsea in a precarious position. Their record in this fixture offers encouragement: four wins out of four against Benfica, with no draws or defeats.

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The focus will fall on how Chelsea respond to setbacks. Maresca has called for patience and trust in his process, yet results remain the ultimate measure. The opportunity to beat Mourinho, and the incentive of three points in Europe, could provide the spark his young side needs.

Prediction and outlook

Benfica’s danger lies in their ability to counter a Chelsea side stretched by absences. However, even without Palmer and a settled back line, the Premier League club should have enough quality. The expectation at Stamford Bridge is victory, and the history between these sides points in the same direction.

Chelsea to win, 2-1.

Head to head record