Bayern Munich travel to face VfB Stuttgart hoping to get three points the first away game of their 2018-19 Bundesliga campaign.
The defending German champions play their first Bundesliga away game of the season against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday. This is the last competitive game before the first international break of the ’18-19 season, which Bayern Munich would like to head into on a high note. They have already clinched the DFL Supercup and started their DFB Pokal campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Drochtersen/Assel.
Bayern kick-started their Bundesliga campaign with a 3-1 victory over TSG Hoffenheim last weekend. The Bavarians were not at their best, but their efficiency in the final third helped over the line. Bayern did, however, suffer a major blow in this game when Kingsley Coman was forced off the pitch with an unfortunate ankle injury that will keep him out for the rest of the calendar year. Niko Kovac will be hoping that his team show improvement against Stuttgart on Saturday.
The hosts began their Bundesliga campaign on a sour note last weekend, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Mainz. The hosts will be raring to get their first points of this season on Saturday. Stuttgart were impressive in the league last season, as they finished seventh in the table. They only missed out on the Europa League thanks to Eintracht Frankfurt’s DFB Pokal win.
Team News
Niko Kovac will have a strong squad for the game against Stuttgart. Leon Goretzka has recovered from the knock he suffered against Chicago Fire. Serge Gnabry also made his return against the American club on Wednesday. Kingsley Coman is the only absentee for Bayern.
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Predicted XI
In his press conference, Niko Kovac promised that he’ll heavily rotate his squad this season. Manuel Neuer is a certain starter between the sticks, though. Jerome Boateng featured last weekend, so Mats Hummels will partner Niklas Sule in the heart of the defense. Boateng needs to be managed carefully due to his injury concerns. Joshua Kimmich and David Alaba should slot in the full-back positions for this game.
Javi Martinez is the only orthodox holding midfielder in the squad. The Spaniard will keep his place in the starting XI and provide a perfect shield to the back four. Thiago Alcantara delivered a very good performance against Hoffenheim and will start in his usual midfield position for Bayern on Saturday. Thomas Muller will the attacking midfielder in this three-man midfield. The German was very lively in a central role against Hoffenheim.
Robert Lewandowski opened his Bundesliga account last weekend and will lead the line for the Bavarians against Stuttgart. Arjen Robben will come back in the starting lineup due to Coman’s injury, while Franck Ribery will feature on the left against Stuttgart as Serge Gnabry is not yet completely fit to start a Bundesliga game.
"NeuerKimmich – Sule – Hummels – AlabaMartinez – ThiagoRobben – Muller – RiberyLewandowski"
Opposition Focus
Stuttgart stunned Bayern Munich in the last Bundesliga game of the ’17-18 season, putting four past the champions at the Allianz Arena. Stuttgart also made Bayern work hard for a win at Mercedes-Benz Arena earlier in the season.
The home side will remain patient and try to capitalize on Bayern’s defensive lapses. Mario Gomez will be a threat on set-pieces and corners. Nicolas Gonzalez is another attacking player Bayern should watch closely on Saturday. The Argentine forward can cause a lot of problems in the final third with his pace and trickery. It’s going to be a tricky game for Bayern, as Stuttgart will be eager to respond after a disappointing defeat against Mainz last weekend.
Prediction
VfB Stuttgart 0-2 Bayern Munich