Bayern Munich vs Chelsea preview: A new look Chelsea side hope to make a mark on the biggest stage of all

German champions Bayern Munich host world champions Chelsea in their Champions League curtain raiser on Wednesday night at the Allianz Arena.

The German side started their Bundesliga campaign with an assertive 6-0 win against RB Leipzig on opening day.

The Bavarians hammered Hamburger 5-0 last time out and have recorded three wins from three this campaign.

Chelsea remain unbeaten in the Premier League this campaign and fell to a late equaliser against Brentford last weekend.

The Blues have eight points in four PL matches and currently sit fifth on the table.

Match preview

Bayern’s captain Manuel Neuer is closing in on 100 wins in the Champions League, having won 99 matches previously.

The Bavarians have lost only one of their last 11 home games against English opponents in the Champions League.

They have won three of their last four games against Chelsea in the competition (D1, lost on penalties in the final 2012), including winning both legs against them in the 2019/20 last 16 in their most recent meetings (3-0 away and 4-1 at home).

The Blues return to familiar ground where they lifted their first Champions League at the Allianz Arena in 2012.

They make their comeback to the Champions League since 2023 as reigning Conference League champions and world champions.

Team news

Bayern Munich

Raphael Guerreiro, Alphonse Davies and Jamal Musiala are out for Vincent Kompany’s side.

Chelsea

Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, and Romeo Lavia are all unavailable for Chelsea.

Facundo Buonanotte replaces Essugo in the squad after his long-term injury.

Estêvão Willian missed the Blues’ last match with an illness and could make his Champions League debut, having returned back to training.

Predicted line-ups

Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer, Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, Josip Stanisic, Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Luis Díaz, Harry Kane.

Chelsea: Robert Sánchez, Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, Estêvão, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and João Pedro.