Bayern Munich have won each of their last three meetings with Chelsea, crushing the Blues 3-0 and 4-1 when the duo last met in 2020, albeit the London-based side did win when it really mattered in 2012.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea preview
Having won both the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup last season, are Chelsea dark horses to make a deep Champions League run? Well, Enzo Maresca's side are still unbeaten this season so far, albeit not in the way they would've hoped. On Saturday night, they'd seemingly done enough to beat Brentford, falling behind but leading with five minutes to go, thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and then Moisés Caicedo. However, the Bees equalised via a long throw deep into injury time, with debutant Alejandro Garnacho punished for being caught napping at the back post.
This means the Blues have eight points after four Premier League games, commencing with a goalless draw over Crystal Palace, before beating both West Ham and Fulham. Now, they'll feature in the Champions League for the first time since 2022/23, having annihilated everybody before them in last season's Conference League, beating Real Betis 4-1 in the final in Wrocław back in May.
In the league phase, Chelsea will welcome Benfica, Ajax, Barcelona and Pafos to Stamford Bridge, with away trips to Qarabağ, Atalanta and Napoli to come. However, arguably, they begin with their toughest assignment, so will the Blues leave Bavaria with a statement victory on Wednesday?
The demands at Bayern Munich meantime are always to win the Champions League. Since reaching the 2010 final, die Rekordmeister have got to at least the semi-finals in nine of 16 seasons, so last year's quarter-final elimination at the hands of Inter was viewed as a complete disaster. Thus, Vincent Kompany is under pressure to deliver better this time round, with home games against Club Brugge, Sporting CP and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to follow this one, while they'll travel to Pafos, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and PSV, expected to finish a lot higher than last year when they ended up 12th.
Well, to start the new campaign, Bayern have won all five matches across all competitions, scoring 19 goals. They defeated Stuttgart in last month's Franz Beckenbauer Supercup while, in the Bundesliga, demolishing RB Leipzig 6-0 and battling to a 3-2 away victory at neighbours Augsburg, before crushing Hamburg 5-0 on Saturday, scoring four in the first half an hour. This though will be be, by some distance, the toughest test they've faced to date, so can Bayern make home advantage count?
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 6.
- Bayern Munich Wins: 3. Draws: 2. Chelsea Wins: 1.
Bayern Munich team news
Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala remain sidelined long-term, but Vincent Kompany does have options.
Dayot Upamecano will continue to partner Jonathan Tah in defence, chosen over Kim Min-jae, while Aleksandar Pavlović started at the base of midfield against HSV, alongside Joshua Kimmich, with Leon Goretzka in reserve.
In attack, Nicolas Jackson made his Bayern Munich debut at the weekend, introduced at half time, so could he have an impact against the club who deemed him surplus to requirements?
Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (4-3-3): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanišić; Kimmich, Pavlović, Olise, Gnabry, Luis Díaz; Kane.
Bayern Munich player to watch vs Chelsea
Harry Kane's brace on Saturday takes his tally to 93 goals in 101 Bayern Munich appearances, averaging a goal every 89 minutes, which isn't bad. He's previously netted eight times against Chelsea, on target against them at four different venues, so can he add to that tally on Wednesday?
Chelsea team news
Enzo Maresca named a surprise lineup at Brentford, featuring Wesley Fofana at right-back, new signing Jorrel Hato on the opposite side and new signing Facundo Buonanotte in midfield, thrown in for his debut, potentially with one eye on this trip to Germany.
Here, Reece James, Marc Cucurella and fit again Cole Palmer will all be back in the lineup, having been intrdoduced as substitutes at Brentford. Levi Colwill, Dário Essugo and Liam Delap are all injured, while none of Disasi, Buonanotte nor Raheem Sterling are in the UEFA squad.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Bayern Munich: (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; James, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández, Estêvão, Palmer, Neto; João Pedro.
Chelsea player to watch vs Bayern Munich
Cole Palmer's sole Champions League goal to date came for Manchester City against Club Brugge in October 2021, so will he mark his debut in the competition for Chelsea with a goal?
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea prediction
This clash is very tough to call. We do expect plenty of goals, but give the slight edge to Bayern Munich, back them to prevail when Chelsea visit the Allianz Arena: Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea FAQs - UEFA Champions League
How to watch Bayern Munich vs Chelsea in the Champions League on TV channel?
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea in the Champions League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 2.
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Bayern Munich vs Chelsea in the Champions League on live streaming?
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea in the Champions League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Bayern Munich vs Chelsea in the Champions League?
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea takes place on Wednesday 17 September 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).