The Club World Cup reaches the round of 16 stage, featuring a significant clash between Benfica and Chelsea. This match highlights the increasing intensity of the tournament. Both clubs are typically expected to compete for their respective domestic league titles, and although that didn`t happen last season, strong performances in the CWC can provide valuable momentum for success in the upcoming campaign. Chelsea, in particular, has been actively integrating young striker Liam Delap into the squad during this tournament, a strategy that appears to be yielding positive results.
Delap recently scored his first goal for the club in their victory over Esperance and is anticipated to start again due to Nicolas Jackson`s suspension for this round of 16 encounter. Benfica secured an impressive result by upsetting Bayern Munich to top their group, but reaching this stage means there are no easy matches on the horizon. Experienced playmaker Angel Di Maria has been a crucial figure in their tournament exploits, and Benfica will need him to maintain his influence to continue their run.
Last Meeting
It`s been quite some time since Benfica and Chelsea last faced each other. Their previous meeting was in the 2013 Europa League final. Chelsea won that match with goals assisted by Juan Mata and a late winner from Branislav Ivanovic. That fixture feels like a distant memory, especially considering that Frank Lampard, now managing Coventry City, was in Chelsea`s midfield at the time. No players who started that final are expected to feature in this match, but the clubs do share a history of competitive encounters.
Predicted Lineups
Benfica: Anatoliy Trubin, Sanyek Dahl, Nicolas Otamendi, Antonio Silva, Leandro Barreiro, Renato Sanches, Fredrik Aursnes, Kerem Akturkoglu, Gianluca Prestianni, Angel Di Maria, Vangelis Pavlidis
Chelsea: Filip Jorgensen, Malo Gusto, Benoiit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Liam Delap
Player to Watch
Liam Delap, Chelsea: Having made an immediate impact in this tournament with both a goal and an assist, this match will be Liam Delap`s most significant challenge yet. He seems to have settled well since joining from Ipswich Town, benefiting from his familiarity with Enzo Maresca`s coaching style. However, performances in matches like this one against Benfica will be key indicators of his readiness for the demands of Champions League football. Wearing the number nine shirt at Stamford Bridge comes with high expectations, and securing silverware or making a deep run in the Club World Cup could significantly boost the young forward`s confidence heading into the new season. Even without winning the tournament, a strong showing would be highly beneficial.
Storyline to Watch
Are Chelsea Ready for the Champions League? The upcoming season is crucial for Chelsea as they return to Champions League competition under Enzo Maresca. The Club World Cup serves as an important preparatory phase. Maresca will need to manage the squad effectively, as he won`t have the flexibility to field significantly different teams for European matches compared to the Premier League. This tournament provides a preview of the tactical and rotational challenges he will face. Matches like this one against Benfica are valuable tests, and securing a win is important for setting a positive tone, even if Chelsea`s squad building is not yet fully complete.
Prediction
Chelsea is expected to control possession effectively enough to neutralize Benfica`s attacking threats, with Liam Delap likely to find the net again. This encounter is predicted to be a low-scoring affair, but the Blues will be satisfied as long as they emerge with the victory. Pick: Benfica 0, Chelsea 1
Adrian Whitmore