Chelsea FC really have their work cut out for them if they’re going to advance through to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. They have a really tough draw in Bayern Munich, who are competing in their 23rd UCL. Only FC Barcelona and Real Madrid (both 24) have been here more often.
The Bavarian giants, knocked out of the competition last season by Liverpool, have won their grouping 16 times, and they’re defending their Bundesliga title at home. As for Chelsea, they find themselves in a tough battle domestically to stay in the top four while looking to advance deeper in the UCL. Here’s what we’re guessing Blues boss Frank Lampard might go with tomorrow night.
Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction vs Bayern Munich Round of 16 UEFA Champions League
Caballero; James, Zouma, Rüdiger, Azpilicueta; Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Abraham, Willian
Azpilicueta, Jorginho and Zouma are just one more booking away from being banned for the next game.
Bayern Munich at Chelsea UEFA Champions League FYIs
February 25, 8 pm, Stamford Bridge
Team news for both sides: go to this link
Key stat: Bayern’s round of 16 record is W11 L4. They had won seven ties in a row before losing to Liverpool last season (0-0 a, 1-3 h)
Probabilities via Google: Chelsea FC win 23%, Draw 25%, Bayern Munich win 52%
Prediction: Bayern Munich 2, Chelsea FC 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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