UEFA Final: Bayern Munich's Home-Field Advantage Will Lead Them to Victory

One of the more exciting games in soccer is three days away from getting underway, and who better to decide the UEFA Champions League Final than two teams that, statistically, look evenly matched?

Chelsea will look to capture their first ever European title, but will have to do so in a hostile environment, to say the least, when they travel to Allianz Arena to take on Bayern Munich as the Reds look to win their fifth title in their storied history.

It's been 28 years since a team has hosted a European final—the last being Liverpool losing 4-2 in a penalty shootout to Roma in Italy—and the cards couldn't have been dealt any better for the Reds, who come in to the final having won their last seven home games.

It was almost certain that soccer fans were going to get another "El Classico" matchup between Real Madrid and Barcelona for the second year in a row, but Bayern Munich knocked out the Spanish powerhouse in penalty kicks to advance to the final.

As for Chelsea, they knocked out Barcelona 3-2 in aggregate, and earned their way to the final led by key veterans Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

However, the Blues will be shorthanded going into the big match, with team captain John Terry being the most significant name on the list of players from Chelsea who will not play on Saturday. Along with Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles will also not play.

It's not like Bayern Munich won't be just as low-staffed as Chelsea will, however. Luiz Gustavo, Holger Badstuber and David Alaba will not be available for the home-town favorites.

Drogba has played like the impact player he's always been for Chelsea since he came back from that awful concussion he suffered back in August. He's led the Blues with five goals in the six games he's played in UEFA League play.

Bayern Munich has been a scoring machine during UEFA play, most noticeably putting up seven goals against FC Basel in the second of their round-of-16 match. Mario Gomes leads the Reds in goals scored with 12 in 10 games, with a third of those coming in that win against Basel.

Bayern Munich has all to lose in this game, especially being in front of their home crowd. Their youth is definitely a factor, and they know that this may be the last time the main veterans of Chelsea get a chance at a European final, and they'll do whatever it takes to win.

However, the home crowd of a projected 70,000 will be the force that drives the Reds to a big-time win. Bayern Munich has been very aggressive in putting the ball towards the back of the net, but even when they haven't converted, they've been able to put a huge amount of pressure on the goalkeeper. So it goes without saying that Petr Cech will have his work cut out for him.

No one would be faulted in the slightest if they wanted Chelsea to win, but it may be too much for the Blues this time.

Hopefully, this won't be the last time we see Chelsea in the Champions League, either.