Two Bundesliga title contenders will square off at the Allianz Arena on Sunday evening as Bayern Munich welcome VfB Stuttgart to Bavaria.
Bayern Munich are set to face off against VfB Stuttgart in what is billed as a huge top-of-the-table Bundesliga encounter, with both sides separated by just one point and a place in the standings.
The Bundesliga title race is shaping up to be a very interesting watch once again this season. Record champions Bayern Munich only retained the Bundesliga title on the final day in 2022/23, and there is a genuine feeling that they could be pushed all the way again this season, with VfB Stuttgart and Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in top form.
Last week’s 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt has only shown more flaws in the champions’ armour. That said, Bayern bounced back from the shock hammering on Tuesday with a calm display at Old Trafford. And they can move further clear of third-placed Stuttgart with a win on Sunday.
VfB Stuttgart, meanwhile, will travel to Allianz Arena in hopes of inflicting more damage on Bayern’s campaign. The visitors have endured a remarkable turn of fortunes under the tutelage of Sebastian Hoeness, who coached Bayern’s reserve team to a third-division title and is the nephew of former Bayern president Uli Hoeness.
He took over Stuttgart in April, with the club sitting dead last and on course for relegation. But a run of just two defeats in their final 12 games of last season in all competitions saw Hoeness take Stuttgart to the German Cup semi-finals and stay in the top flight with a two-legged relegation playoff victory over Hamburg.
The five-time German champions have since gone from strength to strength under Hoeness this term, winning 13 of 17 matches. They stayed in touch with the leaders thanks to a 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen last Sunday. Bayern Munich have a good recent record against Stuttgart and won the last meeting between the two 2-1. Ahead of their latest encounter, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams.
Team News and Tactics
Bayern Munich
Noussair Mazraoui was hooked off at half-time for the second straight game in midweek due to an injury. The Moroccan defender will almost certainly miss the AFCON, as he is expected to be on the sidelines for four to six weeks.
This paves the way for Konrad Laimer to get an extended run in the side at right-back as defensive injuries mount, with Matthijs de Ligt and Bouna Sarr both sidelined. Kingsley Coman also picked up a knock in Manchester and may have played his final game of the year. Serge Gnabry will miss this one against his former club with a muscle injury. Meanwhile, Back-up keeper Sven Ulreich is struggling with an ankle knock.
Manuel Neuer conceded a season-high five goals against Eintracht Frankfurt. With another high-scoring VfB Stuttgart team coming to Munich on Sunday, the veteran goalkeeper will be a busy man in Bayern goal.
The central defensive unit should feature Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae, who were impressive in midweek against Manchester United. The duo will will aim to contain the dangerous Serhou Guirassy. Alphonso Davies will get the start on the left as talk of extending his contract in Munich continues to linger.
With Laimer at right-back, the double pivot of Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich seems to be a foregone conclusion on Sunday. Jamal Musiala should feature from the off again here after making his first start since returning from injury against Manchester United in midweek.
With Gnabry and Coman out, 18-year-old Mathys Tel could be in line for a start on the left flank on Sunday. Opposite Tel, Leroy Sane will look to cause the Stuttgart defence issues with his pace and movement. Up top, Harry Kane will look to prove he is the best goal-getter in the Bundesliga as he goes head-to-head with Guirassy.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Musiala, Tel; Kane
VfB Stuttgart
Sebastian Hoeness has no fresh injury concerns. But VfB Stuttgart still have a number of players out ahead of their trip to Bavaria. Nikolas Nartey, who is yet to feature this season, has undergone knee surgery and will likely return next year.
Waldemar Anton has been feeling unwell, while youngster Luca Raimund remains out with a broken nose. Japanese international Hiroki Ito will also miss the rest of 2023 due to a thigh injury, while Lilian Egloff has a knee problem.
Bayern Munich loanee shot-stopper Alexander Nubel should start between the sticks for the visitors here, as Bundesliga regulations allow loan players to face the parent clubs.
After enjoying a stunning Bundesliga romp this season and notching 16 strikes in his first 12 appearances, talisman Serhou Guirassy will spearhead the visitors’ attack this weekend. Former Brighton striker Deniz Undav has been a stellar free-scoring purple patch and will partner Guirassy in the final third.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Nubel; Stenzel, Rouault, Zagadou, Mittelstadt; Millot, Karazor, Fuhrich, Silas; Guirassy, Undav
Key Stats
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 16 of Bayern Munich’s last 17 Bundesliga games.
- Stuttgart have scored in 16 of their 17 competitive games this season.
- Bayern Munich have won eight of their nine competitive home matches.
- Stuttgart are unbeaten in their last two matches away from home against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
Player to Watch
Serhou Guirassy
The odds for Harry Kane to get on the scoresheet are almost as short as Bayern’s to win. But that is hardly surprising given his proven track record over the years. He has been a revelation for the Bavarian giants since joining in the summer from Tottenham, amassing 18 goals in 13 league matches.
Serhou Guirassy is in sensational form for Stuttgart, too, though. The Guinean international sits just behind the England captain, with 16 goals from 12 Bundesliga appearances this term. That is already the 27-year-old’s best tally for a single season less than half the way through the campaign.
The Guinean boasts an even better goals-per-minute ratio than Kane, having scored a goal every 55 minutes, compared to the Bayern striker’s every 63 minutes. Guirassy’s superb form has been key to Stuttgart’s stunning turnaround under coach Sebastian Hoeness. With a reported €17.5 million release clause, Guirassy is also a hot property in the transfer market, garnering major interest from several Premier League sides.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-1 VfB Stuttgart
Stuttgart managed to earn a deserved point when they hosted Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. So, there is reason to believe that they can hold their own here. Bayern’s heavy defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt showed some defensive frailties this term, and that is something Stuttgart will be looking to exploit.
Stuttgart also had an entire week to prepare, while the Bavarians were in Champions League action on Tuesday evening in England. That said, with no European football to distract between now and mid-February, Thomas Tuchel’s side may be able to start finding some consistent league form. A closely fought victory could be in the offing for Bayern this Sunday.