The Matchday 1 clash of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Bayern Munich (Germany) and Chelsea (England) will take place on September 17 at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Bayern vs. Chelsea: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Bayern Munich
In the last Bundesliga season, Bayern reclaimed their championship title and will participate in the main round of the Champions League for the 18th consecutive time. During this period, the Germans reached the final four times, winning the tournament twice. In the previous edition of the Champions League, Vincent Kompany's side reached the quarter-finals, where they lost to Inter Milan (1-2, 2-2). It's worth noting that the defeat to the Italians was Bayern's only loss in their last seven Champions League matches (4 wins, 2 draws). Additionally, Bayern has won their opening match in this tournament for the previous 21 seasons.
- Bayern scored at least two goals in 5 of their last 7 Champions League encounters.
- The club has not conceded more than one goal in 6 of their last 7 home games in this tournament.
- At home, Bayern won 5 of their previous 7 Champions League matches (1 draw, 1 loss).
Predicted lineup for Bayern Munich (4-5-1)
Manuel Neuer – Josip Stanisic, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, Konrad Laimer – Serge Gnabry, Michael Olise, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Luis Diaz – Harry Kane.
Defenders Alphonso Davies, Raphael Guerreiro, and Hiroki Ito, as well as midfielder Jamal Musiala, are injured.
Chelsea
Finishing fourth in the last English championship granted Enzo Maresca's team entry into the Champions League. Chelsea has not been in the competition since the 2022/23 season, when they reached the quarter-finals for the third consecutive time. After a year away from European competitions, the club won the previous edition of the Europa Conference League, making Chelsea the only team to have won all major UEFA tournaments. Additionally, Chelsea has an 8-match uncompromising streak in the Champions League (5 wins, 3 losses).
- At least one opponent failed to score in 6 of Chelsea's last 8 Champions League matches.
- In away games in this tournament, the club has not lost in 12 of their last 16 matches (10 wins, 2 draws).
- In 6 of their last 7 away Champions League matches, the Brits have not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Chelsea (4-3-3)
Robert Sanchez – Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella – Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Joao Pedro Jesus – Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens, Cole Palmer.
Injured players include defender Levi Colwill, forward Liam Delap, and midfielder Dario Essugo.
Referee
Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez (Spain)
Matches – 15 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 49;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.3;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 13%.
Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea: Match Prediction
Bayern has started the season powerfully as usual. They have won all 5 official matches, scoring 19 goals. The team regularly scores a lot not only on the domestic stage. Vincent Kompany's side has a scoring streak of 7 matches in the Champions League, and in 5 of these games, they scored at least twice. However, during the entire last Champions League campaign, Bayern kept a clean sheet only 4 times.
Chelsea recently won the last club world championship. The English team scored in all matches of the tournament, limiting themselves to just one goal in only two games. The team also had no issues in attack in the Champions League: they found the net in 16 of their last 20 away matches. However, there are still concerns about the club's defense, which has conceded in 7 of their last 8 away games in the Champions League.
Two teams with strong attacking prowess are unlikely to deliver a dull game. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
