Bayern Munich Clash with Chelsea: Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Chelsea face a challenging opening fixture in the 2025–26 Champions League campaign, as they visit German titleholders Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening.
This matchup will always be remembered for the 2012 final, when the Blues pulled off a stunning victory in Munich to claim their maiden Champions League trophy. Bayern have since controlled the head-to-head record, and the two clubs are meeting for the first time since 2020 in this encounter.
While Vincent Kompany guided Die Roten back to their Bundesliga crown last season, it's usually their European showing that determines Bayern's campaign success. Few expected Kompany's squad to capture the continent for a seventh occasion, and they were eliminated by finalists Inter in the last eight.
Two-time champions Chelsea are back at Europe's premier competition after a short hiatus, with Enzo Maresca securing a fourth-place Premier League finish last season. The Blues have been active again in the transfer market, building their roster for a comprehensive challenge across multiple competitions, but they face a difficult task to progress directly to the round of 16, considering the challenging nature of their league phase opponents.
On Wednesday, the away team will face a Bayern squad that are netting nearly four goals per match across all tournaments.
Here's Sports Illustrated's preview of the match.
What Time Does Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea Kick-Off?
Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Bayern Munich | Chelsea |
|---|---|
Bayern Munich 5–0 Hamburg - 13/08/25 | Brentford 2–2 Chelsea - 13/08/25 |
Augsburg 2–3 Bayern Munich - 30/08/25 | Chelsea 2–0 Fulham - 30/08/25 |
Wehen Wiesbaden 2–3 Bayern Munich - 27/08/25 | West Ham 1–5 Chelsea - 22/08/25 |
Bayern Munich 6–0 RB Leipzig - 22/08/25 | Chelsea 0–0 Crystal Palace - 17/08/25 |
Stuttgart 1–2 Bayern Munich - 16/08/25 | Chelsea 4–1 AC Milan - 10/08/25 |
How to Watch Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea on TV
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, discovery+ App, TNT Sports 2 |
United States | Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, ViX |
Canada | DAZN Canada, Amazon Prime Video |
Mexico | Max Mexico, Amazon Prime Video |
Bayern Munich Team News
Bayern Munich have been missing Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala since the beginning of the 2025–26 campaign, with both players expected to return later this calendar year.
The reliable Josip Stanišić has filled in during Davies's absence, while Serge Gnabry is experiencing a revival in a more central position following Musiala's serious injury setback during the FIFA Club World Cup. Gnabry was considered among the world's finest when Bayern last met Chelsea in August 2020.
Raphaël Guerreiro sustained an abdominal problem over the weekend, keeping him out of Wednesday's fixture, while Hiroki Ito is also unavailable for the home side.
Nicolas Jackson is available to feature despite moving to Bayern on loan from Chelsea late in the summer transfer period, but Harry Kane will lead the line against the Blues.
Bayern Munich Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea
Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs. Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanišić; Kimmich, Pavlović; Olise, Gnabry, Díaz; Kane.
Chelsea Team News
Maresca is presently managing a fairly extensive injury roster, but the Italian did bring Cole Palmer back into the squad over the weekend, and the English attacking midfielder quickly found the net after coming on as a substitute.
Palmer is certain to start as Chelsea's No. 10 in Munich, provided he remains healthy following the Burnley match.
João Pedro wasn't completely ready for Saturday's encounter at Brentford, with Maresca confirming that the Brazilian requested not to participate after returning from international commitments. Estêvão, meanwhile, was absent from Chelsea's 2–2 stalemate due to illness but has been seen in training before their journey to Bayern.
Dário Essugo and Liam Delap are fresh long-term casualties, while Roméo Lavia and Benoît Badiashile are doubtful to return to action on Wednesday.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Bayern Munich
Chelsea predicted lineup vs. Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández; Estêvão, Palmer, Neto; Pedro.
Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea Score Prediction
Chelsea demonstrated at the Club World Cup that they can match Europe's elite, but they'll need to deliver a display comparable to their brilliant showing against the European champions if they're to succeed in Munich.
Away teams are frequently intimidated when they travel to the Allianz Arena, and while that shouldn't trouble this Chelsea squad, the Blues are confronting an opponent in excellent form.
Kompany's Bayern appear to have elevated their game this season, and despite this being their first significant challenge of 2025–26, they seem ready to make a statement to the rest of Europe.