2019-20 UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg – Chelsea v Bayern

Chelsea host Bayern Munich at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their Champions League Last 16 encounter.

The Blues are looking to progress beyond this stage for the first time in four attempts, since reaching the 2013-14 semi-finals in which they were knocked out by eventual runners-up, Atletico Madrid. 

 

Team news

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Pedro is a doubt for Chelsea with an undisclosed injury which saw him miss out on Saturday’s matchday squad in the 2-1 win over Tottenham.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (hamstring) and N’Golo Kante (groin) are both unlikely to be fit for this encounter, whilst Marco van Ginkel (knee) and Christian Pulisic (groin) remain sidelined.  

Bayern could have Javi Martinez available after the defender missed their last six games with a muscle injury. 

Ivan Perisic (ankle) and Niklas Sule (knee) are both ruled out of this match. 

 

Stat Attack

• Chelsea have never failed to score against Bayern Munich in four previous meetings, with their last two meetings going to penalties in which both teams won one apiece (W2, L2). 
• Bayern have lost their only previous Champions League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 4-2 in April 2005, eventually losing the tie 6-5 on aggregate. 
• Only one red card has been handed out in this fixture, which was handed to Chelsea’s Ramires in the 2014 UEFA Super Cup as Bayern won on penalties after a 2-2 draw. 
• Chelsea are unbeaten in their last five home games against German opposition (W4, D1), although they needed penalties to beat Eintracht Frankfurt in the semis of last season’s Europa League. 
• Bayern are unbeaten in their last five first leg appearances at this stage of the Champions League (W2, D3). 

 

Prediction

Chelsea were impressive on Saturday because they pressed Tottenham for the entire match whilst playing directly in their passing style, which are going to be key factors here against a quality Bayern team.

I do therefore expect to see goals in this game but Bayern will be a tough ask to beat and given Chelsea’s lesser quality in comparison, I am going for an away win but the Blues need a win and clean sheet ideally to give them a good shot in the second leg. 

Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Bayern Munich

Result: Chelsea 0-3 Bayern Munich