The UEFA Champions League returns with a blockbuster encounter as Bayern Munich host Londoners Chelsea at the Allianz Arena.
The Bundesliga champions missed out on the chance to play a home final last season and, as ever, will set themselves high expectations of going all the way in Vincent Kompany's second season in charge. Chelsea, meanwhile, return to Europe's biggest stage after securing the Club World Cup and the Conference League titles last season.
Bayern Munich are in full swing in the new campaign with five fantastic wins in all competitions - the most recent of them being a 5-0 demolition of Hamburger at home in the league. They are firing on all cylinders in front of the goal as Harry Kane continues to be the main man, Michael Olise taking his game to a new level and new signing Luis Diaz hitting the ground running. They will, however, be without talisman Jamal Musiala, who is out of action with a long-term injury.
Chelsea, on the other hand, come into the game having dropped points deep in stoppage time in their last Premier League encounter against Brentford. The Blues have had a mixed start to the campaign as they fluctuate between scintillating and lukewarm spells in games. Cole Palmer, who grabbed an equaliser for them off the bench at the G-Tech, should be raring to go to prove himself on Europe's biggest stage. Enzo Maresca will be aware of Chelsea's dreadful record against the Bavarians. He would be hoping for a repeat of the 2011/12 Champions League final, where the Blues triumphed on penalties and not the recent encounters where Chelsea fell 7-1 on aggregate in the knockouts.
It will be a tale of two attacks as both sides are still vulnerable at the back early in the season. With injuries and a lack of match fitness hindering both camps, expect the forwards to feast and serve a goal fest.
Bayern Munich team news
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- Bayern Munich scored 19 goals in five games in all competitions. Haven't lost in eight games this season, including the friendlies.
- Kane to spearhead the attack with Olise, Diaz and Serge Gnabry. Kane is looking to add to his astonishing record of 19 goals in 25 Champions League appearances for the Bavarians.
- Nicolas Jackson, signed on loan from Chelsea, might feature against his parent side off the bench. Tom Bischoff might also make his European bow off the bench. Musiala and Alphonso Davies are the only absentees for Kompany.
- Probable line-up: Neuer; Laimer, Tah, Upamecano, Stanisic; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane
Chelsea team news
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- Palmer to start from the off, shaking off injury concerns after a goal-scoring return against Brentford. Skipper Reece James is likely to start after coming on at halftime against the Bees.
- Bynoe Gittens is looking to hurt Bayern, having previously scored against them for Borussia Dortmund in a 2-2 draw last season. In-form striker Joao Pedro should be good to start after a precautionary substitution on the weekend.
- Worrying injuries for Chelsea at the back mean an inexperienced centre-back pairing will be in the firing line. Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia and Estevao are all doubtful for the game, as Levi Colwill and Liam Delap are ruled out as well.
- Probable line-up: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Pedro.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea Head to Head
| Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| August 8, 2020 | Bayern 4-1 Chelsea | Champions League |
| February 25, 2020 | Chelsea 0-3 Bayern | Champions League |
| July 25, 2017 | Chelsea 2-3 Bayern | Champions Cup |
| August 30, 2013 | Bayern 2(5)-2(4) Chelsea | UEFA Super Cup |
| March 19, 2012 | Bayern 1(3)-1(4) Chelsea | Champions League |
Odds & Predictions
Bayern Munich are the favourites to win against Chelsea, according to most bookmakers, with odds of 4/6 and 8/13 on offer for them. Chelsea are much less likely to walk away with three points as their odds are priced at 41/10. There are odds priced at 17/5; however, in the odd case of the teams sharing points after 90 minutes.
How to buy last-minute tickets for the game
Bayern Munich tickets are available on StubHub if you want to catch the game live. The prices are dynamic as we approach the kickoff.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea date & start time
| Date | September 17, 2025 |
| Start Time | 8 pm BST / 9 pm CET / 3 pm ET |
| Venue | Allianz Arena, Munich |
Which channel is the Bayern Munich vs Chelsea game on?
The game will be aired on TNT Sports 2 for fans in the UK. Their streaming service, Discovery+, is the official streaming platform for fans who cut the cable. Paramount+ is the exclusive home of the Champions League in the United States, as the fans can catch all the games of the prestigious competition.
How to watch anywhere with a VPN
If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sports.
