Chelsea XI vs Bayern Munich: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Champions League | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca hoping to have likes of Estevao back for high-profile clash in Bavaria

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

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Cole Palmer is expected to return to Chelsea’s starting lineup when they face Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.

He then suffered a groin injury that saw him miss wins over West Ham and Fulham, as well as England’s latest round of World Cup qualifiers.

After one-and-a-half training sessions, Palmer was fit to appear from the bench at Brentford on Saturday night, where he scored Chelsea’s first goal in a 2-2 draw.

Enzo Maresca will throw him back in from the start at the Allianz Arena, which could mean Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte, who made his debut at Brentford, dropping out of the team.

Marc Cucurella is also expected to reprise his left-back role after only coming on at half-time at the weekend. At right-back, Wesley Fofana will also likely make way, with either Reece James or Malo Gusto in line to start against Bayern.

Estevao could come back into the squad and potentially the starting lineup if he has recovered from the illness that kept him out of the short trip to Brentford.

Joao Pedro will lead the line despite not being 100 per cent fit ahead of that match.

Striker Liam Delap is out until December with a hamstring injury, while Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile are expected back very soon.

Dario Essugo has a thigh injury which required surgery and his return to action could come in 2026.

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Pedro Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro

Doubts: Estevao, Badiashile, Lavia

Injured: Colwill, Delap, Essugo

Unavailable: Mudryk

Time and date: 8pm BST on Wednesday September 17, 2025

Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich

How to watch: TNT Sports