Bayern Munich vs VFB Stuttgart preview
For the first time in years, the Bundesliga is shaping up to be very competitive. With record champions Bayern Munich operating far from their best and VFB Stuttgart and Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in top form, the German league is offering some entertaining clashes this season.
Last week’s 5-1 thrashing of Bayern at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt has only exposed more chink in the champions’ armour. And it is under these circumstances that VFB Stuttgart will travel to Allianz Arena in hopes of inflicting more damage on Bayern’s campaign.
Both teams are separated by one point in the table. On top of that, both teams trail Leverkusen and will not want to lose ground in the title race further. Bayern Munich have shown that at their best, they are the best in Europe; however, at their worst, even an average attack can rip them to shreds.
With Champions League qualification secured, Bayern has the luxury of focusing on the league until mid-February. Bayern haven’t been poor, with the loss against Frankfurt being their first of the season, but the high standards Bayer Leverkusen set means that the Bavarians can not afford slip-ups, especially with two games left before the winter break.
However, Stuttgart are no easy opponent and has already beaten Borussia Dortmund and Frankfurt and drawn with Bayer Leverkusen. Serhou Guirassy has been their main man for goals,, with 16 strikes to his name, second only to Harry Kane in the league.
In attack, Guirassy has been ably supported by Chris Fuhrich, Deniz Undav and Enzo Millot. Fuhrich, in particular, has been the team’s creative force with five assists and a score of 1.07 on Expected Threat (xT) from carries, with only Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman faring better.
Bayern Munich vs VFB Stuttgart lineups
Bayern Munich lineup
Bayern Munich ended their Champions League group stage campaign in style by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford. However, they didn’t come away unscathed, as Kingsley Coman and Noussair Mazraoui suffered injuries. Bayern have confirmed that the duo will miss the clash against Stuttgart.
The duo’s loss is a blow for Tuchel, but his squad has a profound depth that can cover their absence. The return of Manuel Neuer has come as a huge relief. With both Matthijs de Ligt and Mazraoui not fit, Alphonso Davies, Min Jae Kim, Dayot Upamecano and Konrad Laimar will form the backline: Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka behind the attacking trio of Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala and Mathys Tel. Harry Kane will play as the sole striker.
Bayern Munich Predicted Lineup: Neuer; Davies, Min Jae Kim, Upamecano, Laimar; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Musiala, Tel; Kane
VFB Stuttgart lineup
One of the things that has massively worked in Stuttgart’s favour is that their major players have stayed fit throughout the season. Serhou Guirassy did sustain a hamstring injury but only missed two games. This has allowed Sebastian Hoeneß to field a largely unchanged 11 that features their best players.
The last game was brilliant against league leaders Leverkusen, and the same team could be expected to take the field against the defending champions. In goal will be Alexander Nubel, who is on loan from Bayern behind a back four of Maximilian Mittelstädt, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Waldemar Anton and Josha Vagnoman.
Atakan Karazor and Angelo Stiller will play in a double pivot. Ahead of them, the creative duo of Fuhrich and Undav will play on the wings, with Enzo Millot as the attacking midfielder behind Guirassy.
VFB Stuttgart Predicted Lineup: Nubel; Mittelstädt, Zagadou, Ankon, Vagnoman; Karazor, Stiller; Fuhrich, Millot, Undav; Guirassy
Bayern Munich vs VFB Stuttgart predictions
Bayern Munich are feeling the heat of the Bundesliga title race. Trailing Leverkusen by four points, the Bavarians knew that any slip-ups could give the league leaders a massive lead going into the winter break.
However, Stuttgart know this might be the most opportune moment to get their first win over Bayern after five years. Bayern tough are a different beast at the Allianz Arena, and with their tails up after the previous loss, they will be more than a match for Stuttgart.
FootTheBall predicts a 4-1 win for Bayern Munich.