Bayern Munich will be looking to start their 2025-26 Champions League campaign with a bang when they take on Chelsea on Wednesday at the Allianz Arena.
The German champions struggled under the new format last season, and Harry Kane has reminded everyone of the importance of making a strong start early on.
Chelsea have made an unbeaten start so far, but the Blues have been held to two derby draws in the Premier League.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea: preview
Bayern have won all five of their games in all competitions this season and have already clinched one trophy this term, the German Super Cup.
Despite their dominance in the Bundesliga, the Bavarian giants will be looking to conquer Europe once again. Since winning the Champions League in 2020, Bayern have suffered four quarter-final defeats and one semi-final elimination in the past five years.
Having said that, they are almost unbeatable at home in the group stages of this competition. They last suffered a defeat at home in the first stage in 2013, and are on a 34-game unbeaten run in the group phase at the Allianz Arena.
They are heading into this game on the back of a 5-0 win against SV Hamburg, and will look to maintain their impressive momentum with a strong result against the Blues.
Chelsea are making their return to the Champions League after a two-year exile.
The Blues won the Club World Cup under Enzo Maresca this summer, and also won the Conference League last season. With this feat, they have become the first team to win every single UEFA club competition.
Chelsea defeated Bayern at this venue in 2012 when they won the Champions League, but Bayern convincingly defeated them 7-1 on aggregate over two legs during their last meeting in the 2019-20 Champions League Round of 16.
The Blues have faced four London rivals in their opening four games in the Premier League. They won 5-1 against West Ham and 2-0 against Fulham, but dropped points against Crystal Palace and Brentford.
Bayern Munich form (all competitions): W W W W W
Chelsea form (all competitions): D W W D
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea: team news
Nicolas Jackson, who joined Bayern on loan from Chelsea, is eligible to play against his parent club, but he may not get the nod ahead of Harry Kane.
Bayern have suffered a blow this week after Raphael Guerreiro was ruled out for this game with a stomach muscle injury.
Jamal Musiala, Hiraki Ito, and Alphonso Davies are long-term absentees.
Chelsea are without Liam Delap, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, and Estevao Willian, while Facundo Buonanotte has been included in the Champions League squad, after initially being left out.
Joao Pedro remains a major doubt for this game, but the Blues have other top players who can cause problems on Wednesday.
Bayern Munich predicted starting lineup: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane.
Chelsea predicted starting lineup: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
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