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The Champions League returns for the first round of the League Phase this week with matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. One of the most enticing ties is the rematch of the 2011/12 final between Bayern Munich and Chelsea in Bavaria.
Bayern come into the game with their eyes set firmly on the biggest prize. After returning to the summit of German football last season, Vincent Kompany and his team will be fully focused on going one better than they did and getting their hands on the Champions League trophy as well, a trophy the club last won in the 2019/20 season.
Chelsea return to the top European club competition for the first time in two years. Last year, they won the UEFA Conference League, adding to their European trophy haul and effectively ‘completing the set’ of European titles. In the summer, they won the Club World Cup, but now Blues fans will be hoping that Enzo Maresca can navigate the tricky world of the Champions League with his young charges and try for the trophy they last won in the 2020/21 season.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea key information
• Date: Wednesday, September 17
• Kick-off time: 8pm BST
• Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
• Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez
• VAR: Carlos del Cerro Grande
• TV channels: TNT Sports (UK)
• Odds: FCB (13/20) - DRAW (16/5) - CHE (15/4)
Bayern Munich team news
Bayern are flying at the start of the Bundesliga season despite missing some key players. Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies are long-term injuries and will still be absent for this game. Raphaël Guerreiro is now added to the injury list after having to come off against Hamburg, after being a substitute himself. Kompany said after the game that Guerreiro felt something in his ribs and the team hope it’s nothing serious.
One familiar face could lineup against Chelsea, though, with striker Nicolas Jackson, who is on loan at Bayern, ready to play against his parent club. Unlike in the Premier League, UEFA rules do not prohibit loan players from playing against their parent club, so Jackson is all well to take his chance for Bayern against the Blues.
More old faces from the Premier League are expected to start the match against Chelsea too, with the dangerous attacking trio of Harry Kane, Michael Olise and summer addition Luis Díaz all in great form and ready for the challenge.
Bayern predicted lineup vs Chelsea. (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Vincent Kompany
Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Pavlovic, Kimmich, Díaz, Gnabry, Olise; Kane.
Chelsea team news
The return of Cole Palmer to the pitch against Brentford will buoy Chelsea. The talisman shook off a groin issue to score a composed equaliser for his team. His return is slightly dented by the news that Joao Pedro was not fully fit for the Brentford game but still played. Questions thus arise about the striker's fitness for the Bayern game.
If Joao Pedro is not fit, then Chelsea may have to turn to Marc Guiu to play up top as Liam Delap will be out until December because of a hamstring injury. Guiu was not in the squad for Brentford, with Maresca opting to play Tyrique George as his substitute striker. The manager said postgame that this was not the moment for Guiu and he wanted to give George “a little bit more confidence because he did well against Fulham.”
Another player who completely missed the Brentford game was Estevao, but this was forced upon the club. The young Brazilian fell ill while on international duty, and it is unknown if he will be fit enough for the trip to Munich.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Bayern, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Enzo Maresca
Sanchez; Cucurella, Chalobah, Tosin, James; Caicedo, Fernandez; Gittens, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro.
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
This Champions League tie will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK. You can watch TNT Sports with a subscription to Discovery+, which can be streamed on the website or app, on your smart TV, through your console or through some TV providers.
Head-to-Head record
Both Bayern Munich and Chelsea are boasting unbeaten starts to the season. Bayern have a 100% record in the Bundesliga, most recently beating Hamburg at home 5-0. They have played two games at the Allianz Arena so far and won both by an aggregate score of 11-0.
Chelsea are unbeaten too, but have two draws to go with their two wins. The 2-2 against Brentford on the weekend was a gut punch to the Blues as they conceded deep into injury time, and will be hoping to play better against Bayern.
This is the fifth meeting in the Champions League between Chelsea and Bayern, with Bayern winning the head-to-head three to two, and being victorious in the last two meetings. However, Bayern are still smarting from Chelsea’s win in the Champions League final in 2012, which took place in the Allianz Arena. Chelsea won on penalties that season to lift their first Champions League title.
In a weird case of symmetry, all of Chelsea’s opponents from the knockout stages on their way to that 2012 title will be their opponents in the League Phase of this year’s competition. Blues fans will be believing that lightning does strike twice.
Odds for Bayern Munich vs Chelsea
Bayern Munich are the overwhelming favourites to win this match at the bookmakers. Bayern are 13/20 to win at bet365, whilst a Chelsea win is at 15/4. A draw between the two is at 16/5.