Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are expected to be full of confidence as they welcome Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena on Saturday in their 12th game of the German league this season.
Pep Guardiola's side are coming into this game in the backdrop of a 5-1 victory against Premier League giants Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League group game midweek, and will be looking to continuing that momentum today against their opponents, who are struggling to find their footing so far in the league, and are placed 15th.
The Bundesliga giants have five straight wins from their last six games in the German league this season, which also includes a 5-1 hammering of rivals Borussia Dortmund. Bayern recorded a draw against Eintracht Frankfurt in their previous league game, and their unbeaten streak is something the other German teams in the league are finding quite difficult to halt.
"We need to continue to work hard, we are still developing. We need to pass the ball, and play the vertical ball at exactly the right time," said Guardiola ahead of the game. "We have to continue to get better. We need more control. We have to avoid the counter-attacks."
"We will see a good match [against Stuttgart]," said the ex-Barcelona coach. "Both teams attack and play attractive football. Stuttgart create many chances."
Stuttgart have lost all their previous 13 matches in all competitions against Bayern, and that is a huge worry in itself for the team. The home side look the best team by a huge margin on paper, but Stuttgart coach Alexander Zorniger remains optimistic of eking out at least a point.
"Our goal is to take a point," said Zorniger. "We are not going to play 90 minutes of counter-pressing, but we're also not going to defend for 90 minutes, because we can't do that. In Munich, you need to try and control the situation so you don't get hit by their big right hook," he added.
Team news
Bayern Munich: Mario Gotze, Juan Bernat, Franck Ribery, and Sebastian Rode will miss the game for their respective injuries. However, Holger Badstuber could be set for action today.
Stuttgart: The away side has huge injury worries, with forwards Martin Harnik, Daniel Ginczek and Robbie Kruse, as well as goalkeeper Mitch Langerak sidelined for today's game.
Possible starting XI
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Benatia, Boateng, Alaba; Vidal, Thiago; Robben, Muller, Lewandowski, Douglas Costa.
Stuttgart: Tyton; Klein, Sunjic, Baumgartl, Insua; Serey Die, Schwaab, Gentner; Didavi, Kliment, Werner.
Where to watch live
Bayern Munich vs Stuttgart is scheduled to kick-off at 2:30 pm GMT (8 pm IST, 3:30 pm BST, 9:45 am EST).
In India, viewers can catch the game on Star Sports 1. Online streaming will be available on Starsports.com and Hotstar.
In Germany, viewers can catch the game on Sky Bundesliga 1/HD and Sky Bundesliga 3/HD. Online streaming will be available on Sky Go Deutschland. The radio commentary of the game is available on Sport1.
In the US, viewers can catch the game on Fox Sports 1. Online streaming will be available on Fox Sports Go and Fox Soccer 2 Go.
There will be no broadcast of the game in the UK, but the live scores can be followed on bet365 and bwin.
