Chelsea have reached the knockout stages of the Club World Cup and they face Group C winners Benfica in tough last-16 tie on Saturday.
Having won the Conference League last month, Chelsea are back on the trophy trail at the Club World Cup, where they take on Portuguese giants Benfica in the round of 16.
The Blues finished as runners-up to Flamengo in Group D, losing 3-1 to the Brazilians after striker Nicolas Jackson was sent off on matchday two.
Enzo Maresca’s men eased past Los Angeles FC 2-0 and Esperance de Tunis 3-0 in their other two group games, but they face an Eagles side growing in confidence.
The Portuguese side needed a late goal to draw 2-2 with nine-man Boca Juniors in their Group C opener, but they sealed top spot in the section thanks to a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich on matchday three.
The match is taking place at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina and we have selected a Bet Builder that pays 11/2 in the Club World Cup odds.
Benfica v Chelsea Tips
Benfica or draw double chance @ 8/11
Over 3.5 cards @ 4/9
Alvaro Fernandez to be carded @ 23/10
Pays out at 11/2
Benfica look tricky after beating Bayern
Despite finishing as runners-up to Flamengo in Group D, Chelsea have avoided the big guns in the Club World Cup round of 16.
The Blues are favourites to qualify from their tie against Benfica, although they may struggle to get the job done in 90 minutes against solid opponents.
The Lisbon Eagles have lost only four of their last 33 matches in all competitions and three of those defeats came against free-scoring Barcelona in the Champions League.
They were 2-0 down inside 27 minutes against Boca Juniors on matchday one, but have not conceded a goal since then and were worthy 1-0 winners over Bayern in their final group game.
Leg 1: Benfica or draw double chance @ 8/11
Expect plenty of cards in bruising clash
No team in the Premier League amassed more yellow cards than Chelsea’s 99 last season and the Blues’ disciplinary problems have continued at the Club World Cup.
Moises Caicedo, Pedro Neto and Liam Delap were all booked in the first half of their defeat to Flamengo, before Jackson was shown a straight red in the 68th minute.
Chelsea’s three group fixtures produced 16 cards and they look set for another bruising battle against Benfica, who have picked up eight bookings and a red card at this tournament.
Leg 2: Over 3.5 cards @ 4/9
Blues wingers can turn heat up on Fernandez
Benfica left-back Alvaro Fernandez was suspended for the win over Bayern after being booked in his first two CWC games, against Boca and Auckland City.
The former Manchester United youngster, who spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Preston, could find himself in trouble against Chelsea’s array of dangerous wide players.
Fernandez received 17 yellow cards in just 46 starts for Benfica in all competitions during the European club season and he looks a leading card candidate on Saturday.
Leg 3: Alvaro Fernandez to be carded @ 23/10
