Unbeaten Bayern Munich will head into their UCL opener against Chelsea

Boasting a perfect record in their domestic league, the home side come into this League expecting a win, but this will be a challenge unlike any Bayern Munich have faced this season.

The Bavarians will be without some key players. For instance, former Chelsea youngster Jamal Musiala is out as he continues to recover from the leg and ankle break he suffered at the Club World Cup.

Musiala is joined on the treatment table by defenders Hiroki Ito (foot) and Alphonso Davies (knee), and Kompany’s left-back dilemma is now further complicated by a rib injury to Raphael Guerreiro, who was brought on at halftime against Hamburg before having to come off again 17 minutes later.

Bayern Munich predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Neuer (GK) — Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic — Kimmich, Pavlovic — Olise, Gnabry, Diaz — Kane.

Chelsea’s talisman, Cole Palmer, is expected to start after coming off the bench to score in their last league game against Brentford on Saturday.

However, the visitors will be without Levi Colwill (ACL), Liam Delap (hamstring), Benoit Badiashile (unspecified), Romeo Lavia (unspecified), Dario Essugo (thigh) and the banned Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Meanwhile, teenage sensation Estevao Willian is a doubt for the Blues after missing Saturday’s game through illness.

Chelsea predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella — Fernandez, Caicedo — Neto, Palmer, Garnacho — Pedro.