In what is arguably the game of the night on Wednesday, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich welcome reigning Conference League and World champions Chelsea to the Allianz Arena in a match that should see goals.
After seeing their run of consecutive Bundesliga titles end at 11 by Bayer Leverkusen the season before, Bayern managed to reclaim their crown last season, finishing 13 points clear of Die Werkself.
Vincent Kompany’s men have made an emphatic defence of their Bundesliga crown, winning each of their opening three matches of the campaign, scoring 14 goals in the process, with their 5-0 victory over Hamburg on Saturday landing a couple of winners for our man Vladislav.
Despite last season’s Bundesliga success, Bayern suffered a quarter-final exit in the Champions League to beaten finalists Inter, meaning it’s been five years since their previous continental crown.
After a two-year absence, Chelsea return to the Champions League courtesy of their fourth-placed finish in the Premier League table last season.
Enzo Maresca’s men have made an unbeaten start to the campaign, but they failed to make it three consecutive victories away at near-neighbours Brentford on Saturday night, as a 93rd-minute equaliser from Fabio Carvalho saw The Blues to a 2-2 draw.
After winning both the Conference League and Club World Cup in the past few months, the West London side will hope they make a decent push towards a third Champions League crown.
How the bookies view it: Bayern favourites
Bayern have been installed as favourites for this clash, with Betfred pricing the Bundesliga champions at just 8/13.
The Blues are 4/1 underdogs with the same firm, whilst the draw is 10/3.
If any of those odds appeal to you, make sure to check out our special Betfred promo code.
Head to head: Fond memories for The Blues
Chelsea recorded arguably the biggest night of their history against Bayern Munich, as they defeated the record German champions on penalties in their own backyard to secure their maiden Champions League title in 2012.
However, since then, it has been Bayern with the upper hand, as they secured a 7-1 aggregate victory in the last-16 of the Champions League in the 2019/20 season, as well as defeating the West London clubs on penalties to secure the 2013 Super Cup.
Players to watch: Kane to conquer?
After firing in 41 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern in all competitions last season, Harry Kane has already got off to a flyer this campaign.
The England captain has scored eight goals in just five matches in all competitions – including a hat-trick against RB Leipzig in their Bundesliga opener and a brace against Hamburg on Saturday – and the ex-Spurs man pays an appealing 20/23 at BoyleSports.
Predicted line-ups:
Bayern will be without defenders Hiroki Ito, Alphonso Davies, Raphael Guerreiro, as well as long-term absentee Jamal Musiala all through injury.
Enzo Maresca will be without defenders Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile, midfield duo Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo, as well as striker Liam Delap, due to injury – but Cole Palmer is back after coming off the bench to score an equaliser at Brentford on Saturday.
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic, Kimmich, Pavlovic, Olise, Gnabry, Diaz, Kane
Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Pedro
Anything else catch the eye?
Bayern’s opening five matches of the season in all competitions have averaged a whopping 4.80 goals per game, with four (80%) seeing a minimum of four strikes (2-1, 6-0, 3-2, 3-2 & 5-0), and a repeat here pays 5/4 at BoyleSports.
Chelsea’s eight Conference League fixtures outside of Stamford Bridge last season averaged an impressive 3.75 goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals banking in seven (88%) of them, whilst six (75%) also saw goals at both ends.
What’s more, each of Chelsea’s opening two away matches in the Premier League this season have seen Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals land (1-5 & 2-2), and that looks a solid shout at 5/6 at BoyleSports.
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