Bayern Munich head into the weekend trying to keep that comfortable gap at the top of the Bundesliga table, while Stuttgart are still working out how their bright early-season form suddenly drifted off.
Just two wins in their last five league games isn’t the kind of momentum you want before facing probably the most in-form team in Germany right now.
Bayern Munich posted photos of their players training ahead of the game via their official X account.
View the post below:
Stuttgart sits sixth with 22 points from 12 matches. Earlier in the campaign, they were flying, with six wins in their first eight. But lately things have been a bit shaky.
Bayern, on the other side, are doing well: eleven wins, one draw, 34 points. The draw came against Union Berlin, who nearly caught them out earlier in November, but Harry Kane bailed them out late in the 2-2 draw against Union Berlin to keep the unbeaten run alive.
Softfootball understands that Bayern Munich’s only defeat this season came in the 3-1 Champions League defeat to Arsenal.
Team News
Stuttgart’s Ermedin Demirovic, Justin Diehl, Luca Jaquez, Yannik Keitel, and Dan-Axel Zagadou are all out, which messes a bit with their balance.
Alexander Nube should start in goal. Jeff Chabot, Ramon Hendriks, and Finn Jeltsch make up the back three. Lorenz Assignon and Maximilian Mittelstadt take on the wing-back roles, doing lots of running, as usual.
In midfield, Angelo Stiller pairs with Chema Andres to try to stop Bayern from taking full control.
Bilal El Khannouss and Jamie Leweling support Deniz Undav up front, hoping he gets enough touches to cause trouble.
Bayern are missing Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala, two big losses, and Aleksandar Pavlovic is still uncertain. Manuel Neuer should start, with Konrad Laimer and Josip Stanisic playing fullback. Dayot Upamecano partners Jonathan Tah at centre-back.
In midfield, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka should anchor things. Out wide, Michael Olise and Luis Díaz bring pace and creativity. Serge Gnabry takes the number-ten role behind Harry Kane.
Possible Lineups
Stuttgart:
Nubel; Jeltsch, Chabot, Hendriks; Assignon, Chema, Stiller, Mittelstädt; El Khannouss, Leweling; Undav
Bayern Munich:
Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Gnabry, Díaz; Kane
Softfootball’s Prediction
Everything pretty much leans toward Bayern. Stuttgart can trouble them if they start faster and stay brave, but the visitors just carry more quality in nearly every zone. Softfootball’s prediction goes with Bayern Munich, although the match might still get a bit scrappy if Stuttgart decide to push harder than usual.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1 Stuttgart
