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 Munich vs. Chelsea: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Bayern Munich
In the last Bundesliga season, the Munich side reclaimed their championship title, marking their 18th consecutive participation in the main round of the Champions League. During this period, the Germans reached the final four times and won the tournament twice. In the previous Champions League campaign, Vincent Kompany's team made it to the quarter-finals, where they lost to Inter Milan (1-2, 2-2). Notably, the defeat against 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 21 of their previous seasons in this tournament.
- The Munich side scored at least two goals in 5 of their last 7 Champions League matches.
- The club has not conceded more than one goal in 6 of their last 7 home games in this tournament.
- At home, Bayern has won 5 of their last 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
Fourth place in last season's English Premier League earned Enzo Maresca's team a spot in the Champions League. The team has not been in the Champions League since the 2022/23 season, when they reached the quarter-finals for the third consecutive time. After a one-year break from European competitions, the club won the previous UEFA Conference League. Thus, Chelsea became the only team to have won all the major UEFA tournaments. Additionally, in the Champions League, the English side has an eight-match streak without compromise (5 wins, 3 losses).
- At least one opponent failed to score in 6 of Chelsea's last 8 Champions League matches.
- Away in this tournament, the club has not lost in 12 of their last 16 games (10 wins, 2 draws).
- In 6 of their last 7 away Champions League matches, the British side did not concede 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.
In the team's infirmary are defenders Benoit Badiashile, 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
The Munich side has started the season powerfully as usual. Bayern has won all 5 official matches, scoring 19 goals in them. The team regularly scores heavily not only in domestic competitions. Vincent Kompany's side has a 7-match scoring streak in the Champions League, scoring at least twice in 5 of those games. However, throughout the last Champions League campaign, Bayern kept a clean sheet only 4 times.
Chelsea also managed to win the last Club World Cup. The English team scored in all matches of this tournament and only limited themselves to one goal in two matches. The team also had no problems in attack in the Champions League: the British side scored in 16 of their last 20 away matches. However, there are still questions about the club's defense, which conceded in 7 of their last 8 away games in the Champions League.
Two teams looking strong in attack are unlikely to deliver a dull game. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
