Overview
- Kickoff is Wednesday, September 17 at the Allianz Arena, with start time set for 8pm UK.
- Harry Kane said Bayern are not underdogs and stressed the need to start fast to secure a top‑eight league‑phase finish.
- Nicolas Jackson, on loan from Chelsea, is eligible to face the Blues and made a brief Bayern debut in the 5‑0 win over Hamburg, with reports suggesting he is likely to be a substitute.
- Bayern enter in strong domestic form but remain short-handed, with Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, Hiroki Ito and Raphael Guerreiro ruled out as Luis Díaz continues his bright start.
- Chelsea return to the Champions League as recent Club World Cup winners under Enzo Maresca, with Cole Palmer pushing to start and absences including Liam Delap, Benoît Badiashile, Roméo Lavia and suspended Mykhaylo Mudryk.