Bayern Munich take on Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
The visitors are still searching for their first league win of the season, while Bayern will be aiming to return to winning ways having drawn their last two league matches.
Match preview
© Reuters
Indeed, despite recording an impressive 2-0 win away to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, Julian Nagelsmann's side have been frustrated in recent Bundesliga outings.
Having failed to beat Borussia Monchengladbach despite having 20 shots on target across the 90 minutes, with Yann Sommer providing one of the most remarkable goalkeeping displays in recent times, the Bavarians were held to another 1-1 draw away to Union Berlin last weekend.
Sheraldo Becker had provided the hosts with the perfect start by beating Manuel Neuer with a superb volley after 12 minutes, but Bayern quickly got themselves back on track when Joshua Kimmich's deflected effort found its way into the back of the net three minutes later.
However, despite having 75% possession, Nagelsmann's side could not find a winner, with Sadio Mane's excellent header the closest they came late on. The 35-year-old will be demanding a more ruthless streak against Stuttgart on Saturday, with the midweek win in Milan likely to have restored plenty of confidence.
© Reuters
Stuttgart, meanwhile, drew for the fourth time in five league games with a 1-1 draw at home against Schalke 04 last weekend.
Chris Fuhrich broke the deadlock for the hosts after 18 minutes, before Schalke quickly pegged their opponents back three minutes later when Simon Terrode broke his Bundesliga duck with a superb finish into the far corner.
Stuttgart's hopes of earning their first league win of the season were significantly damaged by Josha Vagnoman's 67th-minute dismissal for a second bookable offence, which was their second red card in successive matches, suggesting a lack of discipline within their camp.
With Pellegrino Matarazzo watching from the stands after his dismissal against FC Koln, it could be argued that the manager has not set the best example in that regard. However, the 44-year-old will be pleased that his side have avoided defeat on both occasions that his side have fallen to 10 men in their past two matches.
Die Roten simply cannot afford recent history to repeat itself at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, though, otherwise they will face an absolute onslaught against a Bayern side determined to return to winning ways in the Bundesliga.
- W
- W
- W
- D
- D
- W
- W
- D
- W
- D
- W
- D
- D
- L
- D
- D
- W
- D
- D
- L
- D
- D
Team News
© Reuters
Nagelsmann only made two changes for the trip to Milan in midweek, with Thomas Muller returning to the side after receiving a rare rest in Berlin last weekend.
The 32-year-old should start once again here, with Leroy Sane also expected to retain his place having scored a superb opener against Inter as the former Manchester City winger's impressive return to form continues.
Leon Goretzka could start for the first time since returning from a serious knee injury ahead of a tough home match against Barcelona in midweek, which could also mean Serge Gnabry and Dayot Upamecano both start as Nagelsmann looks to freshen things up during a busy fixture schedule.
Bouna Sarr remains sidelined with a knee issue.
Stuttgart, meanwhile, will travel without Vagnoman and Luca Pfeiffer, who are both suspended after their recent dismissals.
Florian Schock, Nicolas Nartey and Tanguy Coulibaly are all unlikely to make the trip to Munich, too, due to injuries.
Pascal Stenzel could come in for Vagnoman at right wing-back, while Serhou Guirassy may earn his first start after joining on loan from Rennes for the season.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Pavard, De Ligt, Upamecano, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Gnabry, Müller, Sane; Mane
Stuttgart possible starting lineup:
Muller; Mavropanos, Anton, Ito; Stenzel, Endo, Ahamada, Sosa; Fuhrich; Guirassy, Silas
We say: Bayern Munich 4-0 Stuttgart
We can only envisage a comfortable victory for Bayern, especially as they have dropped points in both of their last two league games.
Stuttgart's winless run is likely to continue for another week, with Matarazzo's main aim set to be conceding as few goals as possible.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.