Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will take on an inconsistent but resilient VfB Stuttgart on Saturday evening.
In one of the most anticipated matches of Bundesliga gameweek seven, Bayern Munich welcome VfB Stuttgart to the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening. Both sides come into this fixture after the international break, with Bayern holding the top spot in the league standings with 14 points from six matches, while Stuttgart sit eighth, having accumulated nine points so far.
Bayern Munich, under the guidance of Vincent Kompany, have begun the season with the aim of reclaiming their Bundesliga crown after being dethroned by Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen last season. Despite an unbeaten start to the current campaign, the Bavarians have experienced a slight dip in form, having drawn 3-3 against Eintracht Frankfurt just before the international break.
That draw extended their winless run to three matches, their longest since April 2023. Prior to that, Bayern Munich were also held to a 1-1 draw by Bayer Leverkusen and suffered a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the UEFA Champions League. One concern for Bayern is their defensive record.
They have conceded seven goals in the Bundesliga already this season, which is unusually high for the Bavarian giants. Although they have typically dominated at the Allianz Arena, boasting eight wins from their last ten home league matches, their defensive frailty has surfaced in recent weeks.
Despite this, Bayern’s attacking firepower remains one of the strongest in the division, led by the prolific Harry Kane. They will look to improve upon their recent form and extend their unbeaten start as they aim to solidify their position at the top of the table.
Stuttgart, meanwhile, are looking to build on a promising, if inconsistent, start to their season. They come into this fixture after a 3-1 victory over Bayern in May, and will be hoping to claim back-to-back wins over the Bavarians for the first time since 2007. However, wins have been hard to come by for Sebastian Hoeness’s side this season, as they have managed just two victories in their first six league games.
Stuttgart’s key strength has been their ability to find the back of the net. They have scored 15 goals in their opening six matches, with Ermedin Demirovic leading the charge with five goals, placing him joint-second in the Bundesliga goalscoring charts. The visitors hold the longest active scoring streak in the league, having scored in 22 consecutive matches – their second-longest run in Bundesliga history.
However, defensive issues have hampered Stuttgart’s ability to secure consistent results. Their three-game drawing streak ahead of the international break highlighted their struggles to close out games. Avoiding defeat on Saturday would mark the first time Stuttgart have gone three league games without a win since Hoeness took over as head coach last April. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich will be missing several key players due to injuries and potential rest, including Jamal Musiala, who aggravated a hip injury in their previous match and is not expected to be risked against Stuttgart.
Sacha Boey (knee), Josip Stanisic (knee), and Hiroki Ito (metatarsal fracture) are all ruled out, reducing Bayern Munich’s defensive options. However, there is positive news as Dayot Upamecano has reportedly resumed training and could feature in the matchday squad.
Harry Kane will likely continue to lead the attack despite enduring a goal drought of over 350 minutes for both club and country. Kane is expected to be supported in attack by Michael Olise and Thomas Muller, providing Bayern with a balanced offensive setup.
In terms of formation, Bayern Munich are set to deploy a 4-2-3-1 structure. Manuel Neuer is likely to start in goal, while the back four could consist of Joshua Kimmich at right-back, Eric Dier and Kim Min-jae at the heart of the defense, and Alphonso Davies on the left.
As for the midfield unit, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Joao Palhinha are expected to hold defensive responsibilities, while the attacking trio of Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller, and Michael Olise will support Harry Kane, who leads the line as the lone striker.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Dier, Kim, Davies; Pavlovic, Palhinha; Olise, Muller, Gnabry; Kane
VfB Stuttgart
Stuttgart will welcome the return of Deniz Undav after concerns over a muscle problem that kept him out of Germany’s recent fixture against the Netherlands. The forward has been cleared as fit and will be available for selection against Bayern Munich.
However, Stuttgart still face a number of injury concerns, with Chris Fuhrich, Luca Raimund, Dan-Axel Zagadou, and Justin Diehl all sidelined until at least next month. Additionally, Leonidas Stergiou and Nikolas Nartey are doubtful for the match, which will limit the defensive options for the visitors.
In terms of formation, Stuttgart are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 system. Alexander Nubel is set to start in goal, with Pascal Stenzel at right-back, Anthony Rouault and Jeff Chabot forming the central defensive partnership, and Maximilian Mittelstadt playing at left-back.
In midfield, Atakan Karazor and Angelo Stiller are likely to occupy the two holding positions. The attacking midfield trio could consist of Enzo Millot on the right, Nick Woltemade in the central attacking role, and Jamie Leweling on the left, with Ermedin Demirovic leading the line as the main striker.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Nubel; Stenzel, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Stiller; Millot, Woltemade, Leweling; Demirovic
Key Stats
- Bayern Munich have won 69 of their 110 Bundesliga games against VfB Stuttgart (D22, L19), which is more wins against a single opponent than any other team in Bundesliga history. Their last meeting ended in a 3-1 home win for Stuttgart in May, but Stuttgart have not secured consecutive victories against Bayern since 2007.
- Bayern Munich have collected 14 points from their first six Bundesliga games in the 2024/25 season, just like they did in the previous season. However, they haven’t won any of their last three competitive games (D2 L1), their longest winless streak since April 2023.
- VfB Stuttgart have won just two of their first six Bundesliga games this season (D3 L1), compared to five wins at the same stage last season. After drawing their last two matches, Stuttgart could remain winless in three straight Bundesliga games for the first time under coach Sebastian Hoeness.
- FC Bayern Munich have conceded seven goals in their first six Bundesliga games this season. Over the last 15 seasons, they have only conceded this many at this stage once, in the 2020/21 campaign (under Hansi Flick). Additionally, 25% of their opponents’ chances have resulted in goals.
- VfB Stuttgart have scored in each of their last 22 Bundesliga matches, which is the longest ongoing goal-scoring run in the league. The last time they went on a longer scoring streak was between 1984 and 1985 (27 games). However, one of the three games they failed to score in under Hoeness was against Bayern in December 2023 (0-3).
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
All eyes will be on Harry Kane as Bayern Munich’s star forward looks to end his recent goal drought. Having gone over 350 minutes without scoring for both club and country, Kane will be eager to rediscover his form in front of goal. Despite his recent dry spell, the England captain remains a lethal presence in the attack, and his movement, vision, and clinical finishing make him a constant threat.
Kane’s ability to link up play and drop deeper to involve teammates like Thomas Muller and Michael Olise adds another dimension to Bayern’s attacking setup. With Stuttgart’s defence likely to be tested heavily, the Englishman will be crucial in helping Bayern maintain their push at the top of the Bundesliga standings.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-1 VfB Stuttgart
Bayern Munich will be eager to bounce back from their recent dip in form, and given their strong home record, they will be favourites to take all three points. Stuttgart’s ability to score goals should not be underestimated, and they may be able to breach Bayern’s defence. However, the home side’s superior attacking quality should ultimately see them prevail with a comfortable win