Benfica vs Chelsea Predictions

• Benfica are unbeaten in 90 minutes in 16 matches
• Four of Benfica’s last six matches have been 90-minute draws
• Chelsea have kept four clean sheets in their last six matches

Low-scoring contest backed in energy sapping conditions

Bayern Munich’s 1-0 defeat to Benfica on Tuesday means, on paper at least, that Chelsea have an easier route through the knockout stages of the Club World Cup.

A last-16 date with Benfica won’t faze the Blues, and neither will a potential quarter-final against Brazil’s Palmeiras or Botafogo.

Enzo Maresca’s side responded well to their matchday two loss to Flamengo to beat ES Tunis to secure second in Group D on Tuesday night, when the heat was again the talking point in Philadelphia.

There is unlikely to be much respite for the Blues or Benfica in that respect, as temperatures in Charlotte on Saturday are again forecast to be in the 30s.

Benfica and Bayern struggled in sweltering conditions at the Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday, and the tough conditions could result in another low-scoring, energy-sapping contest.

Under 2.5 goals looks a real possibility and, at decent odds, a goalless draw could be worth chancing inside 90 minutes.