We have a rematch of the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final to kick off this season’s edition of the tournament, as Chelsea travel to Germany to take on Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Chelsea are returning to the Champions League after a two-year hiatus, but still managed to achieve continental success during that time when they claimed the UEFA Conference League title last season. The Blues became the first club to complete the UEFA club competition treble, having won the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
Enzo Maresca’s men booked their return to the UCL on the final day of the 2024-25 Premier League season, defeating Nottingham Forest 1-0 in May to finish fourth in the league table.
Chelsea have had a summer to remember, winning the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States with a 3-0 win over Champions League champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
Their domestic season is off to a slow start, however, managing only two wins out of their first four fixtures. They’re fresh off a 2-2 draw with London rivals Brentford.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, are looking to get back to their first Champions League final since 2020, when they last won the competition as part of a treble-winning season.
The Bavarian club topped the Bundesliga last season, and are already off to a great start in the league, with five wins out of five. Vincent Kompany’s men have already lifted silverware this season, having claimed the German Super Cup to kick off the new season.
Bayern have won their first Champions League game in each of the last 22 campaigns, and have won three straight games over Chelsea since the final in Munich in 2012.
Where to Watch Chelsea vs Bayern Munich in the USA
When: Wednesday, September 17 – 3PM ET / 12PM PT
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Where to watch in the USA: CBS Sports, Paramount+
Chelsea vs Bayern Munich Betting Odds
Chelsea to win: +380
Draw: +330
Bayern Munich to win: -160
Both teams to score (Yes/No): -190 / +148
Over/Under 3.5 goals: +132 / -162
Harry Kane first goalscorer: +340
Joao Pedro anytime goalscorer: +270
Nicholas Jackson anytime goalscorer: +145
Cole Palmer to score or assist: +165
Odds courtesy of FanDuel.
Bayern Munich Team News and Predicted Lineup
Munich’s lineup on Wednesday will feature a number of former Premier League stars that Chelsea would be quite familiar with.
Harry Kane is expected to start as the lone striker, leaving former Chelsea man Nicholas Jackson on the bench. Michael Olise and Luis Diaz are likely to start on either flank, looking to drive at the defensive line and create scoring chances for the German giants.
Kompany’s squad finds itself light at left-back, with both Alphonso Davies and Raphael Guerreiro nursing injuries. Josip Stanisic is likely to get the nod to fill the gap.
Jamal Musiala, who spent eight years in the Chelsea academy before moving to Germany, is still unavailable after suffering a horror ankle break during the Club World Cup.
Bayern Munich predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer (GK) – Conrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, Josip Stanisic – Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka – Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Luis Diaz – Harry Kane.
Chelsea Team News and Predicted Lineup
Cole Palmer is expected to be in the starting 11 after coming off the bench — and scoring — in the draw with Brentford over the weekend.
Palmer could be joined in the attacking areas by Alejandro Garnacho, who is looking to bounce back and win over the Chelsea faithful after an underwhelming start to life in West London.
Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo have been in elite form since the back half of last season, and both should feature as a double pivot against Bayern.
Joao Pedro is all but guaranteed to lead the attacking line with Liam Delap still recovering from a hamstring injury.
