Bundesliga | Gameweek 24

Feb 28, 2025 at 7.30pm UK

Mercedes-Benz-Arena

Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich

Match preview

The Reds took the lead against Hoffenheim in the ninth minute and created plenty of chances in front of goal, but despite having more than two xG, they paid the price for their poor finishing when Gift Orban scored his side's only real chance in the 74th minute.

The draw means Stuttgart have now failed to keep a clean sheet in five Bundesliga games and have conceded 12 goals in their last seven matches in all competitions.

Boss Sebastian Hoeness may also be concerned about his side's performance in the final third, as they have scored one or fewer goals in six of their last seven matches.

It should be noted that Stuttgart are only three points behind fourth-placed Freiburg, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot, but three of their next four league games are against the current top three.

Hoeness' side have lost four, drawn one and won just two of their last seven matches, while they have been beaten in three of their last five Bundesliga outings, winning just once in that time.

Stuttgart's home record has been less than stellar, with defeats in three of their last four games at the MHPArena and two of their last three at the stadium.

Their opponents, Bayern, will come into the game on the back of a comfortable win over Eintracht Frankfurt, in which they created nine clear-cut chances while denying the Eagles any of their own.

It was the 20th time the visitors have scored three or more goals in a game this season, and their tally of 69 Bundesliga goals is at least 18 more than any other team in the top flight.

Coach Vincent Kompany will also be pleased with his side's performance, as it was their third consecutive clean sheet in the league, especially considering they had conceded six goals and failed to keep a clean sheet in the previous three.

In the reverse fixture on 19 October, Bayern thrashed Stuttgart 4-0, with talisman Harry Kane scoring a hat-trick in the second half.

Kompany's side have drawn two of their last three games, putting in unconvincing performances against Celtic and Bayer Leverkusen, but have won nine of their previous 10.

Bayern have lost two and drawn one of their last six away from home, although they have lost just one of their 11 Bundesliga games on the road, winning seven.

Recent Performance

Stuttgart Bundesliga form:WLLWLD

Stuttgart form (all competitions):LLWWLD

Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:WWWWDW

Bayern Munich form (all competitions):WWWDDW

Team News

Stuttgart's injury list is relatively light, but they will be without striker El Bilal Toure and centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou.

Look for Finn Jeltsch and Julian Chabot to start in front of goalkeeper Alexander Nubel, while Leonidas Stergiou and Maximilian Mittelstadt could feature at full-back.

Up front, Deniz Undav and Nick Woltemade have regularly played together in a front two and 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 with back and hamstring injuries respectively.

Eric Dier is almost certain to start at the heart of defence alongside Kim Min-jae, while Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlovic could form a double pivot.

Harry Kane should be available for selection after recovering from injury, and although Jamal Musiala is a doubt, he is still in with a chance of starting.

Possible starting lineup

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