My original plan was to write a preview of all teams in Champions League Group E, but I came to a sad realization: I know next to nothing about CFR Cluj and rather little about FC Basel. I decided, in truth, that I couldn’t even fake my way through it. So, this will be, instead, a preview of Bayern’s Wednesday night match against AS Roma. In all fairness, these are the two teams that should be advancing to the knockout stage. But, here’s what I do know about the teams placed in Pots 3 and 4.

FC Basel are best known for Swiss international Sebastian Frei and the fact that Roger Federer (a Basel native) is their most famous supporter. Thorsten Fink, Basel’s coach, won the Champions League competition with (surprise!) Bayern Munich in 2001. Look for Swiss winger, Xherdan Shaqiri and the aforementioned Frei to be scoring goals. St. Jakob Park is known for its passionate fans, and the Markplatz in Basel is a great place to celebrate a victory.

Cluj are Romanian. And, that’s about the extent of my knowledge… I kid. I kid. Really, only the names Cadu, the big man, Traore and Bastos jump off the page for me. They’re kicking off this CL campaign with a new coach, Sorin Catu, and a tick downward in form from the previous season. Cluj famously held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw and beat Roma 2-1 last Champions League campaign. The unknown can be a surprising quality… especially when they play at home.

Speaking of a tick downward in form, both Roma and Bayern have suffered unspectacular starts to their respective domestic campaigns. To be honest, pretty much every big club looks a bit tired with the glaring exception of Chelsea, who are happily murdering opponents, seemingly at will.

Karl-Heinz Rummenniege has been whining about, nay--- blaming FIFA for Bayern’s “poor” showing so far this season. To be fair, he’s got a bit of a point. After all, 13 members of his squad were playing in to the final weekend of the World Cup, then add some poorly timed international friendlies and the start of EURO qualifying, and you’ve got an exhausted Bayern Munich. But, they don’t look bad, per se. They just look like they need a nice, long nap. Yawn.

At least AS Roma are suffering a bit as well. A 5-1 drubbing by Cagliari over the weekend sheds an unfavorable light over the Romans, who face a stern test versus Bayern in Munich. And they’ll do so without the services of Vucinic, Riise, Mexes, Taddei and Okaka: All out on injuries. However, all is not lost to coach Claudio Ranieri, as Adriano and Francesco Totti are included in the match day squad.

Just in case anyone has forgotten, Franck Ribery is suspended for this match, stemming from last season’s unfortunate red card during the semi-finals. Louis van Gaal is also doing without the services of Breno, and the Dutch god among men, Arjen Robben. Hamit Altintop should be given the nod in Ribery’s spot, while I expect Olic to start as the lone-man up front.

So, Bayern’s starting XI? Butt; Lahm, van Buyten, Badstuber, Contento; van Bommel, Schweinsteiger; Mueller, Kroos, Altintop; Olic.

Hanging tough to regain his starting spot, expect Demichelis to be subbed in if either center back has any trouble. Perhaps somebody should break his face again? He seemed to play much better with a mask on… And, van Gaal has once again stated that Mario Gomez needs to fight for his place. Same old story. Now, if only Liverpool had a little cash, we wouldn’t be talking about Mario Gomez anymore…

I can’t wait to see what the Bayern faithful have in store for this Champions league opener! I’m sure the Allianz Arena will be done up beautifully, as always. It’s definitely a goose-bump-worthy experience, being in the stadium, hearing the Champions league song. (I’ll be there in December for Bayern - Basel.)

And although these two teams are quite likely to progress to the round of 16, both definitely need to pick up 3 points here today. It will go a long way to rectifying indifferent starts to their seasons. However, with the match being in Munich? I’m gonna tip my hat to Bayern. (Not that I ever think we will lose…)

Auf gehts!