VfB Stuttgart vs. Bayern Munich: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Stuttgart will be cautiously optimistic they can get a positive result against the Bundesliga leaders, after stringing together a three-game unbeaten run. Since going four without a win, VfB have taken maximum points off Mainz and Wolfsburg, whilst drawing with Hertha Berlin. They're still precariously perched a point above the relegation play-off spot, but have pulled seven clear of the automatic drop zone heading into their penultimate fixture before the winter break. Pellegrino Matarazzo has question-marks in the wing-back areas after Borna Sosa missed the Wolfsburg triumph with a back problem, and Roberto Massimo went off injured in the first half. Tanguy Coulibaly and Pascal Stenzel could continue in the side as a result. Alternatively, there could be a reshuffle to accommodate fit-again central defender Marc-Oliver Kempf, who managed 16 minutes from the bench at the weekend. November Rookie of the Month, Hiroki Ito, is set to keep his place, however.

Lewandowski won't be paying too much attention to the Stuttgart teamsheet. The recently anointed Striker of the Year needs just two more goals to equal Gerd Müller's calendar-year scoring record (42), and has two matches to do it. He was kept quiet against Barcelona and Mainz, but Bayern still found ways to win. The method of dispatch was clinical to say the least in the UEFA Champions League, while it took an exquisite Jamal Musiala goal to turn the tables on Mainz at the weekend. With Joshua Kimmich sidelined until January and Leon Goretzka still a doubt, the 18-year-old is set to continue in a central midfield role for the third straight game despite a hand fracture. Second-half substitutes on Saturday, meanwhile, centre-back Niklas Süle and winger Serge Gnabry could be rotated in at the expense of Lucas Hernandez and Kingsley Coman respectively. Bayern - six points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund - host Wolfsburg in their final outing of 2021 three days later and are all but guaranteed to be top at the midway point thanks to their superior goal difference.

Match stats

Stuttgart have scored 22 goals after 15 matches. Arsenal loanee defender Konstantinos Mavropanos is the top scorer with four.

Matarazzo was Julian Nagelsmann's assistant at Hoffenheim between January 2018 and December 2019.

Stuttgart haven't won at home to Bayern since 10 November 2007 (D2, L9).

Lewandowski has scored in all but one of Bayern's seven away games in this season's Bundesliga, and in each of his last four meetings with Stuttgart. He's the current campaign's 16-goal leading marksman.

Thomas Müller has produced 10 goals and 14 assists across 23 career appearances against VfB.

Bayern have scored at least once in their last 62 Bundesliga matches, dating back to 9 February 2020. The league record stands at 65.

Probable line-ups

Stuttgart: Müller - Mavropanos, Ito, Kempf - Karazor - Stenzel, Endo (c), Mangala, Coulibaly - Förster, Marmoush

Out: Bredlow (thigh), Führich (not included), Kalajdzic (shoulder), Klement (not included), Massimo (knock), Millot (knee), Nartey (knee), Sankoh (knee), Sosa (back), Thommy (pelvis)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Pellegrino Matarazzo

Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard, Upamecano, Süle, Davies - Nianzou, Musiala - Gnabry, Müller, Sane - Lewandowski

Out: Choupo-Moting (match fitness), Kimmich (lungs), Sarr (groin), Stanisic (thigh)

Doubtful: Goretzka (foot), Sabitzer (calf), Tolisso (muscular)

Coach: Julian Nagelsmann