Previewing and predicting every UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie 

Chelsea v Bayern Munich

Frank Lampard will face the toughest test of his managerial career when Chelsea face Bayern Munich

Frank Lampard’s youthful Chelsea side narrowly qualified for the knockout stages as Group H runners-up leaving last season’s semi-finalists Ajax behind. The Blues surprised many with their attacking brand of football in the initial months of the Premier League campaign, however, their season has somewhat fallen apart in recent weeks. Chelsea have only managed to win 6 out of their last 13 games in all competitions and face a gruelling task to remain in the top-four.

On the contrary, Bayern Munich had a shaky start to the season but have found their feet since the turn of the year, returning to their preferred top-spot in the Bundesliga. The German first division is witnessing one of its greatest title races in recent times, with the first and fifth-placed teams only divided by a mere six points.

Eden Hazard’s departure from Stamford Bridge last summer left Chelsea short-handed in attack. Christian Pulisic has been promising on the left-flank but the American has had troubles with injuries, as has been the case with starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi. Both Willian and Pedro are now in their early 30s and do not have the legs to start every three days. This leaves Lampard with Tammy Abraham as his only reliable attacking outlet, who has been Chelsea’s top-scorer and most consistent performer this season.

Robert Lewandowski is the first player to reach 40 goals for club and country this season

Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry were on top-form in the Champions League group stages and will hope to continue their goalscoring exploits against a defensively-weak Chelsea side. Winger Kingsley Coman is also back from a knee injury he suffered against Spurs in December and will wish to play a definitive role in Hansi Flick’s set-up for the remainder of the campaign.

Chelsea and Bayern Munich have been involved in what was one of the most exciting Champions League finals in the past decade. And we can surely hope for that level of drama and anxiety to kick through in this encounter. Frank Lampard will hope to take this Chelsea side to the latter stages, but their inexperience and rawness could make them bleed against a strong Bayern Munich side.

Prediction: Bayern Munich