Bayern Munich vs Chelsea Champions League preview: Team news and predicted lineups
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Having won their first three Bundesliga games of the season with a goal difference of 14-2, German league leaders Bayern Munich will look to carry their impressive domestic form into Europe when they host Chelsea in their Champions League opener at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
Most recently, the German champions crushed newly promoted Hamburger SV 5-0, going 4-0 up before the half-hour mark.
Bayern’s attacking quartet of Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Luis Diaz and Harry Kane have started the season in blistering form, with each registering at least one goal involvement per league game so far.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are also unbeaten this season, with two wins and two draws in the Premier League.
The Blues looked set to beat Brentford away at the weekend, as Moises Caicedo put them ahead with five minutes to go, only for Fabio Carvalho to score a late equaliser and secure a point for the hosts.
The two sides last met in the round of 16 in the 2019/20 Champions League with very different squads from today. Bayern won comfortably, 3-0 and 4-1, and went on to lift the trophy after defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
Team news and predicted lineups:
Bayern will be without long-term absentees Alphonso Davies (knee), Hiroki Ito (foot) and Jamal Musiala (ankle). Raphael Guerreiro will miss out as well due to a stomach muscle problem.
Vincent Kompany’s starting XI looks mostly set, with the only question being whether Aleksandar Pavlovic or Leon Goretzka will start alongside Joshua Kimmich in central midfield. Pavlovic impressed in Bayern’s recent 5-0 win over HSV, which could work in his favour.
For Chelsea, Dario Essugo (thigh), Liam Delap (hamstring), and Levi Colwill (ACL) are out, while Benoit Badiashile (muscle), Romeo Lavia (muscle) and Estêvão (illness) are doubtful.
Click here to see our predicted Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea lineups.
