Bayern Munich vs Chelsea tips and predictions: Barnstorming Bayern to maintain rampant start?

Bayern Munich state of play

A 5-0 win over Hamburg at the weekend saw Bayern make it five wins from the opening five competitive matches of the season. 

Vincent Kompany’s men have made a lightning start to their title defence, and after three games are the only side to boast a 100% record.

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Injuries to key pair Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala earlier in the year hasn’t stopped this barnstorming Bayern side from rumbling on as they look for a repeat of the 4-1 mauling they dished out to Chelsea when the pair last met back in 2020.

Chelsea state of play

Chelsea will leave London for the first time this season when they make the trip to Munich in midweek. Back in the Champions League, they’ll hope to claim an early statement win in the league phase.

However, they threw away all three points in Saturday’s west London derby as a late Fabio Carvalho goal saw the Blues share the spoils with Brentford at the Gtech stadium. 

They head into Wednesday’s clash having lost three of their last four Champions League matches, which includes a 1-0 loss to Dortmund on their most recent trip to Germany.

Key talking point: ‘Ice Cole’ Palmer back among the goals

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will have been disappointed by the manner of their draw at Brentford on Saturday night, but there were positives to take from the stalemate, namely the return of Cole Palmer.

Palmer made just his second league appearance of the season at the weekend as he replaced Jamie Gittens shortly after the restart. ‘Ice Cole’ had missed wins over West Ham and Fulham owing to injury, and his return is a huge boost.

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So too is his return to goalscoring ways. Palmer has endured a testing 2025, at least domestically – he was at his best in Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph – and his goal at Brentford was his first from open play since bagging the opener in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth back in January.

Back at fitness and back among the goals, Maresca will look to the youngster to fire Chelsea to an opening round Champions League triumph.

FIRST’s top tip 

Pick: Bayern to win and Kane to score anytime - 5/4 (Ladbrokes)

Bayern Munich have won their opening five matches and have won their last four meetings with Chelsea inside 90 minutes.

Kane, meanwhile, has scored in four of his last six appearances for club and country, and three of four for Bayern this season.

Extra tips

Pick: Michael Olise to have over 1.5 shots on target – 10/11 (Ladbrokes)

Michael Olise has made a fine start to the season, scoring three goals and providing one assist in the Bundesliga. The Frenchman has managed over 1.5 shots on target in all three outings.

Pick: Moises Caicedo to be shown a card – 9/5 (Ladbrokes)

Chelsea’s midfield destroyer has been relatively tame for his club in the opening four league matches, collecting just one booking. That said, he’s been carded in five of his last nine outings for club and country - you can find Chelsea’s betting statistics that may help you make your play.

Team news

Bayern have two huge absences for their welcome of Chelsea with left-back Alphonso Davies still sidelined following an ACL injury. 

The Canadian international is back running on grass, but this comes too soon for the left-back.

Jamal Musiala also misses out having suffered a fractured fibula owing to a dislocated and broken ankle but hopes to feature again before the year is out.

Cole Palmer returned from injury for the 2-2 draw at Brentford and is expected to come back into the starting XI here. Willian Estevao may make the trip having sat out Saturday’s stalemate owing to illness.

Levi Colwill is a long-term absentee for the Blues, while Dario Essugo and Liam Delap are ruled out until November due to respective thigh and hamstring problems.

Bayern Munich vs Chelsea predicted line-ups

Bayern Munich: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane (4-2-3-1)

Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Pedro (4-2-3-1)

Form guide (all competitions) 

Bayern Munich: WWLWLWWWWW

Chelsea: LWWWWWDWWD

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Odds correct at the time of writing.