A general view of the ground ahead of the game Chelsea Women v Bristol City Women, WSL football match, Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, UK - 13 Sep 2020 Photo: Chloe Knott for The FA

PREVIEW: Chelsea v Benfica

Chelsea will be looking to complete the second half of their UEFA Women’s Champions League round of 32 tie in style when they host Benfica at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday evening.

The Blues were emphatic 5-0 winners in Portugal a week ago and will be hoping to finish the job off in the return leg, although it would take a near-impossible turn of events to see opponents Benfica reach the round of 16.

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes is not thought to have any new injury concerns to contend with following Sunday’s 1-0 Barclays FA Women’s Super League victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. With the South West Londoners holding a huge advantage over Benfica, Hayes could opt to rotate her squad with Sunday’s London derby with Tottenham Hotspur in mind. This could mean game time for the likes of Jess Carter, Jessie Fleming and Niamh Charles while Sophie Ingle, Beth England and Guro Reiten could return to the starting XI.

Benfica head coach Luis Andrade could face a selection dilemma ahead of his side’s trip to England. With The Eagles having to overcome a 5-0 deficit, Andrade may want to carefully select his side to take on Chelsea with a huge domestic fixture against Estoril Praia coming up on Saturday. Benfica are currently occupying second place in the Portuguese 1A Divisao with Sporting Lisbon claiming top spot on goal difference. Defeat this weekend could severely dent The Eagles’ hopes of winning a first Portuguese title.

Chelsea’s UEFA Women’s Champions League round of 32 second leg tie against Benfica is scheduled to kick-off at 7pm on Wednesday evening and will be played behind-closed-doors at Kingsmeadow. The match will be available for fans to watch on Chelsea’s 5th Stand app, on their official Facebook page and via the club’s YouTube channel.

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