Unbeaten Bayern Munich will head into their Champions League opener against Chelsea on a high as the sides lock horns at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
While the hosts have featured in every edition of Europe’s premier club competition since 1997, the visitors are returning to the grandest continental stage for the first time in three seasons.
Bayern Munich preview
Having claimed an emphatic 6-0 triumph over RB Leipzig in their first home outing of the campaign, Bayern put on another attacking clinic on home turf as they hit Hamburg for five on Saturday.
Harry Kane scored twice for Vincent Kompany’s men, while Luis Diaz, Serge Gnabry and Aleksandar Pavlovic also got in on the act.
Since their Club World Cup exit against Paris Saint-Germain, the Bavarians have won eight consecutive matches, averaging more than three goals per game during that span.
Bayern defeated Chelsea home and away in this competition in 2019/20. Chelsea defeated the German side on penalties in the 2011/12 final.
Chelsea preview
Chelsea’s first season under Enzo Maresca yielded Europa Conference League and Club World Cup glory, which has subsequently raised expectations at the club.
The Blues looked set for a third straight league win after coming from behind to take a 2-1 lead against Brentford last time out before conceding a stoppage-time equaliser.
Chelsea are unbeaten in 11 matches, but face a stiff test against Bayern on their own patch.
The Blues have led at the interval ahead in seven of their last nine matches and will be aiming to gain an early foothold here.
Team news
Alphonso Davies is still out with a knee problem he picked up in action for Canada in March.
Jamal Musiaia is another guaranteed absentee for Bayern with a broken tailbone, and is joined on the sidelines by Hiroki Ito.
Levi Colwill (knee), Benoit Badiashile (muscle), Liam Delap (hamstring), Dario Essugo (thigh) and Romeo Lavia (muscle) are unavailable for Chelsea.
Facundo Buonanotte will also miss out, having not been included in Chelsea’s Champions League squad alongside Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk.
Willian Estevao missed his side’s last outing through illness but should be back to play a part on Wednesday.
Bayern Munich Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Stanisic, Tah, Upamecano, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Diaz, Gnabry, Olise; Kane.
Chelsea Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro.
