Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich: Betting Odds & Prediction
(Featured image: Alamy Images)
Third-placed Stuttgart side host second-placed Bayern Munich on Saturday, with just five points separating the pair heading into the encounter.
The hosts have enjoyed a remarkable season and find themselves third, knowing a win will move them within two points of their opponents.
The away side secured a 3-0 home win in the reverse fixture back in December. Kick-off is set for 2:30pm UK time at MHPArena.
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Stuttgart
Sebastian Hoeneß' men have raised eyebrows with a phenomenal return in the Bundesliga this season. Despite narrowly avoiding relegation with a win in last season's play-off, Stuttgart are within two points of securing Champions League football next term.
Their form has stalled recently, though. A 2-1 loss at Werder Bremen was followed by a 2-2 draw at champions Bayer Leverkusen, courtesy of a Robert Andrich stoppage time equaliser.
Nevertheless, they are unbeaten in their last eleven at the MHPArena, with only Leverkusen and Bayern boasting better home records in the Bundesliga. 43 goals scored at home leaves them with an impressive 2.87 per game, with Hoeneß' side finding the net in every home fixture so far.
Stuttgart have also excelled in defensive quarters, conceding just 0.93 goals at home, registering six clean sheets in the process. They've conceded two or more goals in just three home encounters so far.
Above: Bayern secured a 3-0 win over Stuttgart earlier in the season.
Bayern Munich
The visitors come into the fixture on the back of a 2-2 home draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League. Likely to have their eye on next week's second leg in Spain, manager Thomas Tuchel could be tempted to rest big names at the MHPArena.
Bayern have rebounded from consecutive defeats to Borussia Dortmund and Heidenheim with three wins on the bounce. The most recent saw them earn a hard-fought 2-1 home victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Despite boasting the second-best away record in the Bundesliga, Bayern have looked much more vulnerable on the road this term. Four of their six league defeats have came in away fixtures, including two in their last five.
Scoring goals hasn't been a problem; they've averaged 2.53 scored in away games, failing to score just once. Their main issue has been at the back; an alarming 26 goals conceded has seen them average 1.73 per away game. Bayern have also managed only three clean sheets on the road so far.
Prediction
Stuttgart have been superb at home this season, winning 11 of their 15 home outings and losing just once. Their last defeat at the MHPArena occurred back in October and, despite recent wobbles, they were desperately unlucky not to leave Leverkusen with all three points.
With Bayern's eyes likely to be on their return match with Real Madrid, OddsNow back the hosts to continue their remarkable campaign with a win over the former Bundesliga champions.