Benfica vs Chelsea predictions: Club World Cup tips and odds
Our expert tipster has three tips for Saturday's Club World Cup last-16 clash between Benfica and Chelsea at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina (kick-off, 9pm BST). We think the Primeira Liga club could pull off another upset.
Benfica vs Chelsea tips
Benfica draw no bet @ 31/20 with Paddy Power
Angel Di Maria to have a shot on target @ evens with Paddy Power
Liam Delap to be carded @ 13/5 with Paddy Power
Odds courtesy of Paddy Power. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Already a Paddy Power member? Check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts.
Benfica could spring a surprise
Benfica raised eyebrows with their resolute 1-0 win over a much-changed Bayern Munich side in their final group game at the Club World Cup and they could again defy the odds when they take on Chelsea in the last 16.
In temperatures reaching 40C in Charlotte, Benfica kept compact and frustrated Bayern, even after key personnel such as Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Joshua Kimmich came on.
A similar approach is expected against Chelsea, who eased past ES Tunis 3-0 in their final group game but lost 3-1 to Flamengo and were underwhelming in their 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in Group D.
Enzo Maresca has used this tournament as a means to experiment a bit but any complacency against Benfica, who have not lost any of their last 16 games in normal time, could be punished.
At 31/20, Benfica are worth selecting in the draw no bet market, in which stakes are returned if the match finishes level.
Veteran Di Maria worth a shot
The combination play between Fredrik Aursnes, Gianluca Prestianni and Angel Di Maria down the right was key for Benfica against Bayern Munich, so Bruno Lage may not want to dislodge any of those players from his starting XI.
And if Di Maria does start against Chelsea, he is worth a bet at evens to have a shot on target.
Di Maria often likes to cut inside, providing Aursnes with the chance to overlap, but the Argentinian also likes to have shots at goal himself, having averaged 3.3 shots per game in the group stage and 2.5 in the Primeira Liga last season.
The 37-year-old had one shot on target in each of the games with Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors, either side of having four efforts on target against Auckland City.
This wager also makes use of the Super Sub promotion.
Caution can pay in case of Delap
It is no secret that physicality and aggression have become key parts of Liam Delap's game up front and he is overpriced at 13/5 to pick up a card against Benfica.
The Chelsea forward is set to start again in the absence of the suspended Nicolas Jackson and only Antoine Semenyo (73) committed more fouls than his 72 for Ipswich in the Premier League last term.
He also picked up a league-high 12 yellow cards and has already been cautioned once at the Club World Cup.
He is likely to be up against veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, who likes to step forward out of defence to close forwards down, so expect a few tussles between the pair and a potential booking for Delap.
Benfica vs Chelsea odds
All odds courtesy of Paddy Power. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
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