Bayern Munich face VfB Stuttgart in first home game of 2019

Bayern Munich gear up to face VfB Stuttgart on Sunday which will be the first game of the year at Allianz Arena.

Die Roten are slowly gaining momentum under Niko Kovac. Bayern Munich are currently on a run of six consecutive wins in the Bundesliga after defeating Julian Nagelsmann’s Hoffenheim last weekend. The defending champions will be looking to stretch this run to seven games when they host VfB Stuttgart on Sunday.

Bayern are now nine points behind Borussia Dortmund after the league leaders overcame Hannover earlier today, but they could reduce that lead to six points with a win tomrrow. Bayern’s home form has been a bit of a concern this season, so Kovac will be hoping his players show up and play as well as they did against Hoffenheim.

VfB Stuttgart finished seventh last season with impressive performances throughout the campaign. However, they have struggled severely in the Bundesliga this season and are now involved in a tight relegation battle. Every point is gold-dust for the visitors, and a point on Sunday would be massive in their fight to clime back up the table.

Team News

Bayern Munich will be without several players against VfB Stuttgart. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are yet to start training with the team as neither has recovered completely from their injury. Jerome Boateng is also doubtful for this game, as he is currently sidelined due to illness.

Serge Gnabry trained individually this week to shrug off the knock he suffered against Hoffenheim. Niko Kovac is confident that the German will be fit to play on Sunday. Corentin Tolisso continues to take massive strides towards his recovery, but his return is still slated for March.

Predicted XI

Manuel Neuer made a tremendous save against Hoffenheim, and Bayern will be hoping he keeps up this form as their Champions League tie against Liverpool is just around the corner. In terms of his defensive selection, Kovac doesn’t have too many options. Niklas Sule and Mats Hummels will be the center-back partnership for this game, while Joshua Kimmich and David Alaba will slot in at right-back and left-back.

Leon Goretzka’s performance against Hoffenheim will force Kovac to stick with the same midfield combination he used last weekend. However, expect Kovac to make one change as Bayern can afford to go a bit more attacking at the Allianz Arena. Thiago Alcantara will be the deepest midfielder while James Rodriguez and Leon Goretzka will partner as central attacking midfielders.

The attack is likely to remain unchanged for this game. Robert Lewandowski will lead the attacking line for the home side. Gnabry will make an impact from the bench while Thomas Muller and Kingsley Coman start in the wide positions. Alphonso Davies might get some minutes in this game if Bayern are in a comfortable position in the second half.

"NeuerKimmich-Sule-Hummels-AlabaJames-Thiago-GoretzkaMuller-Lewandowski-Coman"

Opposition Focus

VfB Stuttgart will have to defend resolutely in this game, as Bayern have recently found their form in the final third. However, the home side is still suspect at the back and has the tendency to concede silly goals. Stuttgart’s only chance of getting something from this game is by executing effective counter-attacks.

Mario Gomez will be the focal point of the visiting team. The former Bayern striker is Stuttgart’s top scorer of the season and could be a big threat from set-pieces. Nicolas Gonzalez and Anastasios Donis are two other players who could cause real problems for Bayern’s defense.

Next. Bayern Munich already feels like home to Leon Goretzka. dark

Prediction

Bayern Munich 3-0 VfB Stuttgart

The home side is finally clicking under Niko Kovac so I expect a routine win for Bayern. They had a completely different swagger last weekend and will no doubt be hoping to build upon their performance with yet another win. The defensive structure under Kovac still remains a work in progress, but Manuel Neuer should be able to collect his seventh clean sheet in the league.