Chelsea vs Bayern Munich
Champions League
Date: Tuesday, 25 February 2020
Kick-off at 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
Venue: Stamford Bridge (London).
Chelsea vs Bayern Munich Match Preview
If there is a match of the Champions League in addition to Dortmund vs PSG tie that promises destination and attractive football, then it's Bayern Munich vs Chelsea. Both clubs have a different coach from last season but both clubs are in the very opposite phase at the moment. Bayern are looking to win their seventh Bundesliga title in a row while the Chelsea - are affected by the ban on moving - struggled to finish in a Champions League place in the Premier League.
Chelsea have been bold and beautiful under Frank Lampard but the inconsistency has been a problem for them. Meanwhile, Bayern Hansi Flick has turned into machine ruthless winner since taking over from Niko Kovac in early November. The Bavarians will hope to have a much better performance on February 25 as compared to the overly cautious game last season against Liverpool, while Chelsea almost nothing to lose.
Team News
Chelsea
Chelsea will once again be without the services of Pulisic Christian and Callum Hudson-Odoi, while midfielder N'golo Kante is also missing through adductor injury he picked up against Manchester United earlier this month.
After switching to a 3-4-2-1 formation that worked brilliantly against Tottenham last week, Lampard could be tempted to stick with the same tactic when Bayern Munich came to visit. It will be interesting to see if the Chelsea boss decides to reintroduce Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal, after he benched in the last three league outings.
The three-man back line once again may consist of a captain Cesar Azpilicueta, along with Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, with Reece James and Marcos Alonso, who scored in the win against Tottenham, will continue as wing-backs.
With Kante due to injury, Lampard will continue Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic as the two central midfielders, while Ross Barkley and Mason Mount, both excelled at the weekend, should be maintained in the attacking midfield slot.
Tammy Abraham fit enough to be named on the bench last time out and with Olivier Giroud did a brilliant job against Spurs, France is likely to start again on Tuesday night ahead of him.
Possible Lineup (3-4-2-1): Caballero; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Barkley, Mountain; Abraham
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich will travel to London without long-term absentee Niklas Sule, while Ivan Perisic also misses out with an ankle injury. Javi Martinez returned to practice, but has not been risked by the German champions. Benjamin Pavard and Jerome Boateng, both suspended for the Bundesliga before, back in the squad.
The manager Hansi Flick used 3-4-2-1 setup against Paderborn last time out, but can switch back to the 4-2-3-1 he has favored for most of his spell at the club. Manuel Neuer, who did odd mistake in the last game, will continue in goal and are looking to put in an improved display at Stamford Bridge.
The back Pavard had to slot in at right-back while Alphonso Davies must be restarted to leave, because it has been a revelation in that position. David Alaba guaranteed to feature as one of the two center-halves, with another set of slots to be a toss between Boateng and Lucas Hernandez. The latter could get the nod against the pace of the Chelsea striker.
Joshua Kimmich should move back to the middle of the park, after playing as a defender in the last game. The German international will have Thiago Alcantara for companies in midfield. Campaign peppered Thomas Muller, who benched to tie Paderborn, should be back in the No. 10 slot for Bayern Munich.
Kingsley Coman also should return to the starting XI after being left in the last game. France is supposed to line up on the right wing, while Serge Gnabry, who scored four goals in his last visit to London against Tottenham, will occupy the opposite side. In the form of superstar Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the attack for Die Roten.
Possible Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Pavard, Hernandez, Alaba, Davies; Kimmich, Thiago; Coman, Muller, Gnabry; Lewandowski
Opta stats
Last Chelsea and Bayern Munich Champions League encounters are 2012 final - London side won 4-3 on penalties (1-1 a.e.t.) in Bayern's Allianz Arena.
Four previous games in all competitions between Chelsea and Bayern Munich have produced 17 goals, an average of 4.25 per game.
Under the current format, Chelsea have reached the Champions League knockout stage 14 times in 17 seasons since 2003/04 - only Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich can boast more k / o appearances during that time. However, the Blues have not made it past the round of 16 since 2013/14.
Bayern Munich have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for 12 consecutive seasons - only Real Madrid (23) and Barcelona (16) are in the long term. The Bavarians have made it past the round of 16 in seven of the eight last campaign, the only exception came last season when they were eliminated by Liverpool.
Bayern Munich won the maximum points (18/18) and have a goal difference of 19 in the Champions League group stage this season, the best performance ever by a team in the group phase of the competition. However, none of the six previous teams have won all their group matches had then lifted the trophy the same season.
Chelsea has been eliminated in each of the four home Champions League / bond went past them, failed to win any of their eight knockout games in those days (D4 L4).
Chelsea have only won one of their last six Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge (D4 L1), 2-1 victory against Lille last December.
Since losing the 2012 Champions League final against Chelsea, Bayern Munich has eliminated the English clubs in four of the five next home / away their ties in the competition.
Chelsea and Bayern Munich scored the joint-most goals from set-pieces in the Champions League group stage this season (5), including three each from a corner kick.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard scored three goals in four Champions League match against Bayern Munich as a player, joint-best record in the competition. He also converted a penalty in the shoot-out victory in the final in 2012 against Bayern.
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has
scored 10 goals in the Champions League this season, only the second time he reached double figures in the tournament after 2012/13 with Borussia Dortmund. However, he has failed to find the net in the last 597 minutes in the knockout stage of the tournament, the longest drought.
Chelsea vs Bayern Munich Predictions
The Blues struggled to pick up a win at home and have come out on top just three times in their last seven matches here.
To make matters worse, the Blues have managed to successfully guess only once in the last three Champions League clash at home.
In sharp contrast, the scarcity of home advantage is hardly cause problems for Bayern Munich.
Impressive, guests are in a four-game winning streak away from home, as we speak. In addition, visitors take off big 7-2 win over Tottenham in their last trip to the land of England.
Taking into account that the host is not sure any consistency at home, relying on Bayern Munich to come away with a win.
Moreover, the purpose of which is given each time the Bavarians lined up on the field, regardless of the venue. In fact, they have scored eleven goals in the past three events of their own.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have failed to find the back of the net just once in their five previous clashes here. Since their last meeting at the stadium h2h is also a high scoring affair, hoping no dearth of good goals coming Tuesday.
Chelsea vs Bayern Munich Betting tips
Bayern Munich win @ 1.80 (4/5)
Over 2.5 goals @ 1.60 (3/5).
