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Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea

Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea
© PA Photos
Saturday sees Bayern Munich battle it out with Chelsea for European club football's grandest prize, the Champions League.

On Saturday Bayern Munich will battle it out with Chelsea for European club football's grandest prize, the Champions League.

The two sides go up against each other in Bayern's very own Allianz Arena in the heart of Bavaria.

While Munich will be looking to win the competition for the fifth time in their history, Chelsea are desperately striving for a maiden triumph.

The Germans' last victory came in 2001 with a win over Valencia, although they were defeated by Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in the 2010 final.

Meanwhile, Chelsea were famously beaten by Manchester United on penalties in a rain-sodden Moscow in 2008.

That match was notable for John Terry's miss from 12 yards, but the Blues captain will not be playing on Saturday after he picked up a red card during his side's improbable semi-final victory over holders Barcelona last month.

Terry will be joined by Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Meireles on the sidelines after they all picked up significant bookings in the Nou Camp.

Bayern are similarly ravaged with suspensions as Holger Badstuber, David Alaba and Luiz Gustavo all picked up similar yellow cards in their semi-final victory over Real Madrid.

Chelsea are expected to welcome back Gary Cahill and David Luiz in defence, while Didier Drogba is likely to be selected ahead of Fernando Torres in attack.

Bayern could see Diego Contento, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk and Thomas Muller drafted into the side in place of their missing trio.

Current form:

Bayern: WWLWWL
Chelsea: DWLWLW

Possible lineups:

Bayern: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Tymoshchuk, Contento; Pranjic, Muller, Robben, Kroos; Ribery, Gomez

Chelsea: Cech; Bosingwa, Cahill, Luiz, Cole; Mata, Lampard, Essien, Mikel, Sturridge; Drogba

Sports Mole says: 2-1

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Written by
Jack Prescott

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