Bundesliga 2022-23: VfB Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The Bavarians travel to south-west Germany to face a relegation-threatened The Swabians on Saturday.

VfB Stuttgart is going down a similar path to their previous campaign, struggling in 15th place in the Bundesliga table, and survival in the top division is their priority right currently. They're amongst the lowest-scoring teams in the Bundesliga, having scored only 27 goals to date. They are fourth lowest in the division, and only won four games all season, all of which came at home. Despite scoring seven goals in their last five league matches, they've only won once. A surprising 3-0 win at home to Koln in match week 21, and losing the other four matches, including a closely fought 2-1 loss to bottom side Schalke last week. It'll be a monumental task for Stuttgart to overcome the league leaders this Saturday, as VfB Stuttgart have lost their previous twelve competitive meetings at home to Bayern.

Bayern Munich brushed aside fellow title contenders chasing Union Berlin. A surprise package this season in the Bundesliga, with a demolishing 3-0 victory last week at home. Choupo-Moting, Musiala and Coman were all on the scoresheet as they made an easy outing of the side that's only a win behind them in the points table.

Julian Nageslmann's side had already won the game by half-time having scored all three goals at the half. This allowed him to make key rotations and give time on the pitch to the returning from injury Sadio Mane and Serge Gnabry, amongst others. Bayern has an enviable record in the Bundesliga this season, with a net positive thirty-three (33) goal difference in the first half of all matches. They have scored 42 goals and conceded only nine. Given they're yet to lose to Stuttgart away since, 2007, and the fact they're peaking at the right time indicates. This is a positive momentum leading to their travels to Stuttgart.

Kick-off:

Saturday, 04-02-2023, 11:00 pm (IST)

Saturday, 04-03-2023, 05:30 pm (GMT)

VfB Stuttgart form (all competitions): L-W-L-L-L

Bayern Munich form (all competitions): W-L-W-W-D

Players to watch out for

VfB Stuttgart: Atakan Karazor

The 26-year-old German midfielder has been the steady presence in the middle of the park for Stuttgart. In recent weeks and has been putting in seven out of ten performances, despite his team winning only once, in the past five fixtures in the Bundesliga. He covered the most distance last week against Schalke despite the 2-1 loss. Karazor covered 11.3 km and also won 15 of 22 attempted tackles. He also assisted the suspended Borna Sosa goal last week and his manager will look for more of the same this week against the league leaders.

Bayern Munich: Kingsley Coman

The French man looks like he's finally been able to overcome his persistent injury issues which have plagued most of his career. He's scored five goals and an assist in the last six matches in all competitions. Coman has been Julian Nagelesmann's most important creative outlet, from the wingback and wide position. Such tactical flexibility has allowed his manager to change formation in the game whether in a 3-5-2/ 4-2-3-1, based on the strength of the opponent. Coman scored against PSG last week in the Champions League and followed it up with a goal and an assist last week against Union Berlin. He'll the one to keep an eye on this week.

Match Facts

• All four of VfB Stuttgart’s wins this season have come at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

• VfB Stuttgart’s last home win over Bayern came in November 2007 when Mario Gomez scored twice in a 3-1 victory.

• Record Champions Bayern have scored 98 goals away at Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. It is the highest away goals record at a travelling Bundesliga venue.

• Alphonso Davies will make his 100th Bundesliga appearance this game week, becoming the sixth youngest to reach the milestone and the first non-German to do so.

Team & Injury News

Stuttgart have an unfortunate suspension for their best player in recent weeks, Borna Sosa who'll miss out through suspension. Other suspects in fullback Stenzel (thigh), and forward Guirassy (Tendon), who could all miss out.

Bayern Munich have the usual suspects out as club captain Neuer is out with a long-term leg injury and the same fate for defender Hernandez. Winger Sane has injured himself in training this week and could be a doubt.

Head-to-Head Stats

Matches: 31

VfB Stuttgart: 3

Bayern Munich: 24

Draws: 4

Predicted Lineups

VfB Stuttgart predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Bredlow; Anton, Mavropanos, Ito, Sosa; Endo, Karazor, Haraguchi; Dias, Silas, Fuhrich

Bayern Munich predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Sommer; Cancelo, Pavard, De Ligt, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Musiala, Müller (c), Coman; Choupo-Moting

Match Prediction

Bayern rarely put a foot wrong in their travels to the Mercedes-Benz Arena, since their last loss coming way back in 2007. Their splendid record against Stuttgart, with an unbeaten record in seven matches (five won, two draws) should give them enough confidence to add another number to their victory column, in the Bundesliga title race.

Stuttgart finds themselves in an uncomfortable position in 15th in the league table, and their porous defence would have to pull off miracles in order to stop this Bayern side from scoring, almost making it an impossible task this weekend. Bayern is a couple of goals away from scoring 100 goals away at Stuttgart, a Bundesliga record, and would become the first team to do in the top division.

Prediction: VfB Stuttgart 0 – 3 Bayern Munich

Telecast

India: Ten Network and SonyLIV app

USA: ESPN+, FuboTV

UK: Sky Sports

Nigeria: Canal+ Sport