Chelsea return to Champions League action tonight as they host Benfica at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca’s side lost their other European tie a couple of weeks ago, defeated 3-1 by Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.
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The Blues have been on a bit of a losing streak since then, falling to both Manchester United and Brighton in the Premier League as they undergo an injury crisis, particularly at the heart of defence.
First-choice centre-backs Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana were both ruled out of the home defeat by the Seagulls last weekend, with deputy left-back Jorrel Hato filling in alongside Trevoh Chalobah, who was shown a red card.
Levi Colwill injured his anterior cruciate ligament is out for the remainder of the campaign, while talisman Cole Palmer is still struggling with a groin injury.
Dario Essugo and Liam Delap are other longer-term absentees.
As for Benfica, it is a return to the Bridge for former Blues boss Jose Mourinho, who took over the reins at the Estadio da Luz from Bruno Lage, who was dismissed after the Primeira Liga side were stunned by Qarabag on matchday one.
Mourinho has been critical of his previous employers’ “crazy” spending in the build-up to this clash, remarking that he believed that Chelsea had “lost direction” for a period following Todd Boehly and the Clearlake consortium’s purchasing of the club from Roman Abramovich.
How to watch Chelsea vs Benfica
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports. Coverage starts at 7pm BST on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate ahead of the 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action with Standard Sport’s live blog!
