Chelsea will be looking to bounce back from their FA Cup disappointment this evening as they face a difficult test away to Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16.
The Blues were beaten 2-1 by London rivals Arsenal in Saturday’s final at Wembley to deny Frank Lampard his first piece of silverware since taking over as manager.
Their chances of another European triumph are all but dead in the water after a 3-0 defeat at home to the Bayern in the first leg at Stamford Bridge back in February.
That result came before the coronavirus pandemic brought a halt to the football season but Bayern have actually improved their form since the restart, clinching the league title for an eighth season in a row.
It would take a remarkable comeback to deny Hansi Flick’s side a place in the quarter-finals, with three goals without reply needed just to take it to extra-time.
And while there is little realistic hope of that happening, Lampard will nevertheless encourage his players produce a professional display to finish the season on a high.
Date, time and venue
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea is scheduled for a 8pm BST kick-off on Saturday, August 8, 2020.
The match will be played behind closed doors at the Allianz Arena with no fans due to be present due to government guidelines regarding coronavirus.
Team news
Lampard faces a selection headache with a lengthy injury and suspension list. The trio of players injured in the FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal (Christian Pulisic, Cesar Azpilicueta and Pedro) are all unavailable with Pulisic out for six weeks and a doubt for the start of the new season.
Willian, who is close to joining Arsenal but also had to sit out the Cup final through injury, is still not fit with Callum Hudson-Odoi – once a top target for Bayern before committing his future to Chelsea, likely to start in his place.
Antonio Rudiger, a close mentor of Hudson-Odoi’s, said: “He wants this type of game and that is why you play football and I think he will want to prove a point really.”
Lampard does at least have the boost of both N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek being fit and ready to start at the Allianz Arena.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Caballero; James, Rudiger, Zouma, Alonso; Kante, Barkley, Kovacic; Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea (6-1 on aggregate)
There have been many special Champions League nights in Chelsea’s history but this will surely be a bridge too far for Lampard’s squad.
Taking on arguably the favourites to win the competition is one thing. But to face a three-goal deficit without key men such as Pulisic and Azpilicueta, the task is made only more difficult.
Against a side that has consistently leaked goals all season, the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry will be licking their lips at the prospect of adding to their goal tallies. Comfortable home win.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Chelsea can take solace from their last meeting at the Allianz Arena, where the Blues famously won the Champions League in 2012 against the Bavarian giants on their own turf.
Bayern have the edge in the overall head-to-head, winning twice in the five meetings – including a 3-2 victory in the Champions League back in 2005 – although Chelsea progressed 6-5 on aggregate to reach the semi-finals.
Betting odds and tips
- Bayern Munich to win: 2/5
- The draw: 9/2
- Chelsea to win: 15/2
- Over 2.5 goals: 4/9