Ramires & David Luiz return to former club as Blues search for first away win in Europe
Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (da Luz) — Lisboa
Team News
Benfica
Argentine Ezequiel Garay and Yannick Djalo both remain absent due to
injury, while Pablo Aimar returns after missing Benfica's last Champions
League game due to suspension. Aimar came off the bench in the goalless draw with Olhanense at the
weekend, but was only on the pitch for 17 minutes, as he received a red
card. It will be interesting to see whether Jorge Jesus decides to stick
with Aimar on the bench or reinstate him, particularly with him now
facing a domestic suspension.
Artur is Benfica's only fit player who is one yellow card away from a suspension.
probable lineups : Moraes, Emerson, Jardel, Luisao, Pereira, Garcia, Witsel, Cesar, Rodrigo, Cardozo, Gaitan. (4-4-2).
| 23 Mar 2012 | SC Olhanense 0 - Benfica 0 | |
| 16 Mar 2012 | Benfica 3 - Beira-Mar 1 | |
| 11 Mar 2012 | Paços Ferreira 1 - Benfica 2 | |
| 6 Mar 2012 | Benfica 2 - Zenit 0 | |
| 2 Mar 2012 | Benfica 2 - Porto 3 |
Chelsea
Cole and Luiz are both one yellow card away from a European suspension. There is the usual competition up front, with Drogba and Torres both vying for the lone striker spot.
probable lineups : Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Luiz, Cole, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Mata, Drogba, Sturridge. (4-4-3).
| 24 Mar 2012 | Chelsea FC 0 - Tottenham 0 | |
| 21 Mar 2012 | Manchester City 2 - Chelsea FC 1 | |
| 18 Mar 2012 | Chelsea FC 5 - Leicester City 2 | |
| 14 Mar 2012 | Chelsea FC 4 - Napoli 1 | |
| 10 Mar 2012 | Chelsea FC 1 - Stoke City 0 |
Head to Head
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Chelsea's last 4 games in UEFA Champions League.
Benfica are undefeated in 11 of their last 12 matches in UEFA Champions League.
Benfica have scored at least 2 goals in 4 of their last 6 matches in UEFA Champions League.
| 18 Jul 2005 | Benfica 0 - 1 Chelsea | INT CF |
Prediction
Benfica welcome English opposition to the Estadio da Luz for the second
time this season, having already assisted in knocking Manchester United
out of the Champions League in the group stage. The Portuguese side held
United to a draw both home and away and proved more than a match for
them.
Chelsea meanwhile, will have been boosted massively by their dramatic
extra-time win over Napoli in the last round, though domestic results
since then have not been overly impressive. A resounding win over
second-tier Leicester was followed up by a loss at Man City and a dull
0-0 draw with Tottenham - a game that they came extremely close to
losing.
Benfica have lost only once and drawn twice at home this season, despite
having played 17 games on their own turf, including being unbeaten at
home in European competition this season. Chelsea have lost 4 of their
last 5 on the road, and the only game they did not lost in that run was
away at Birmingham. Benfica will be underestimated by many, but they
have made it to the quarter finals of the Champions League on merit.
They will give Chelsea a very tough time on home soil and will be
hopeful of taking a lead into the second leg, albeit a slender one.
Benfica 1 - 1 Chelsea
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