Bayern Munich can take a significant step towards the Bundesliga title should they beat Stuttgart on Friday when they travel to MHPArena.
Stuttgart are in seventh place with 36 points and are still in contention for a Champions League spot despite drawing 1-1 with Hoffenheim on February 23, whereas Bayern are eight points clear at the top of the table with 58 points after beating Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 last Sunday.
Match preview
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Die Roten took a ninth-minute lead against Hoffenheim and created numerous opportunities in front of goal, but despite producing over two xG, they paid the price for poor finishing when Gift Orban scored his side's only big chance in the 74th minute.
Stuttgart's draw last time out means they have now failed to keep a clean sheet in five Bundesliga games and have conceded 12 goals in their last seven outings in all competitions.
Boss Sebastian Hoeness may also be concerned by his side's performances in the final third given they have scored one or fewer goals in six of their last seven matches.
It should be noted that Stuttgart are only three points from fourth-placed Freiburg, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot, though three of their next four league fixtures are against the division's current top three.
Hoeness's team have lost four, drawn one and won just two of their past seven games and have been beaten in three of their last five in the Bundesliga, winning just once in that time.
Stuttgart's record at home has been subpar, with the club succumbing to defeat in three of their four most recent matches at MHPArena, as well as in two of their last three at the stadium.
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Opponents Bayern come into the clash having comfortably beaten Eintracht Frankfurt, creating nine big chances while preventing the Eagles from producing any of their own.
The victory was the 20th time that the visitors have scored three or more goals in a game this season, and their tally of 69 goals in the Bundesliga is at least 18 better than every other team in the top flight.
Manager Vincent Kompany will also be pleased with his side's display as it was their third consecutive clean sheet in the league, especially considering they conceded six and did not keep a clean sheet in their prior three.
The Bavarians trounced Stuttgart 4-0 in the reverse fixture on October 19, with talisman Harry Kane netting a second-half hat-trick.
Kompany's team have drawn two of their last three – producing unconvincing performances against Celtic and Bayer Leverkusen in that period – but they did win nine of their previous 10.
Bayern have been defeated in two and held to a stalemate in one of their last six outings on the road, though they have only lost one of their 11 away games in the Bundesliga, winning seven.
Team News
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Stuttgart's injury list is relatively small, though they will still be unable to call upon striker El Bilal Toure and centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou.
Expect Finn Jeltsch and Julian Chabot to be stationed in front of goalkeeper Alexander Nubel, while Leonidas Stergiou and Maximilian Mittelstadt could appear as full-backs.
In the forward line, Deniz Undav and Nick Woltemade have regularly played together in a front two, and they are likely to do so again on Friday.
Bayern do not have a long list of absentees, but centre-back Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Joshua Kimmich have been ruled out due to respective back and hamstring injuries.
Eric Dier is almost certain to be paired with Kim Min-jae in the heart of defence, while Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlovic may feature in a double pivot.
Harry Kane should be available for selection following an injury layoff, and though Jamal Musiala is a doubt, he still has a chance of being named in the starting XI.
Stuttgart possible starting lineup:
Nubel; Stergiou, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Leweling, Karazor, Stiller, Fuhrich; Undav, Woltemade
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Laimer, Dier, Kim, Davies; Goretzka, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Sane; Kane
We say: Stuttgart 1-3 Bayern Munich
Even if Stuttgart manage to score first, they are unlikely to create many chances in the final third given their poor record in front of goal in recent weeks.
Bayern have had no issues finding the back of the net, and considering they have been phenomenal on the road, they should be seen as strong favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
