Bayern vs Chelsea: Preview, Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Chelsea face their date with destiny on Saturday night when they take on Bayern Munich at the Alianz Arena in the 2011/12 Champions League final.

The Blues hope to win the competition for the first time in their history after coming agonisingly close in 2008 when they lost to Manchester United on penalties. Bayern on the other hand will be going for their fifth Champions League title and have the chance to lift the trophy on home turf.

Roberto Di Matteo has worked wonders in guiding his team to the final, having overcome a 3-1 deficit to Napoli in their last-16 tie as well as beating Benfica in the quarter finals. Chelsea then stunned reigning champions Barcelona in the semi’s, managing to run out 3-2 aggregate winners despite being down to 10-men for much of the second leg at the Nou Camp.

Bayern also had to overcome a Spanish giant in the semi’s, beating Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid on penalties.

If Chelsea win on Saturday it would put Di Matteo in the box seat to secure the managerial job on a full time basis, as owner Roman Abramovich would surely look kindly upon the man who fulfiled his dream of winning Europe’s elite compeititon.

RDM has already lead the Blues to an FA Cup win this season after beating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley, so to complete a cup double would more than make up for finishing a disappointing sixth in the league. However, it’s a finish that means they must now win the competition outright if they are to be playing Champions League football again next season.

Team news

Despite the efforts of both clubs to have UEFA overturn their bans, seven players will be on the sidelines for the final through suspension.

Chelsea will be without Ramires, Raul Meireles and Branislav Ivanovic who all picked up two bookings on route to the final, while captain John Terry will miss out after being sent off for violent conduct against Barcelona.

However, there is good news for Di Matteo after both Gary Cahill and David Luiz returned to training this week and look set to feature this weekend having missed the last few weeks with hamstring strains.

Florent Malouda is a doubt so John Obi Mikel looks likely to play alongside Michael Essien and stand-in captain Frank Lampard in midfield.

Juan Mata and Saloman Kalou are expected to start in support of Didier Drogba, who is likely to get the nod ahead of Fernando Torres up front.

Bayern Munich will be without the suspended trio Luiz Gustavo, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber. Breno is ruled out with a knee injury and Daniel Van Buyten is also struggling to be fit, so Anatoliy Tymoshchuk and Diego Contento are expected to come in.

Thomas Muller is expected to start with Robben and Ribery in support of Gomez up front, while Kroos will drop back to play alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger in central midfield.

Likely Line-ups

Predicted Score

This is almost an impossible game to call. Bayern Munich have the home advantage which could have a major say on the outcome, with the German’s winning all six of their previous European games at the Alianz Arena. However, ever since the comeback win over Napoli i’ve had a feeling that Chelsea’s name was on this trophy, and this feeling was only strengthened further with the manner in which they beat Barcelona. Chelsea to just edge it. Bayern Munich 1-2 Chelsea.

What are your thoughts on the game? Get involved in the comments section.