FC Bayern vs VfB Stuttgart preview: Potential title clincher for Kompany's side

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich keep finding ways to win this season. Last weekend, a heavily rotated side battered St. Pauli 5-0, which, combined with Borussia Dortmund's loss to Bayer Leverkusen, put Bayern twelve points clear at the top of the Bundesliga. Much of the focus, though, was on their midweek clash at the Allianz Arena.

Despite going down after less than a minute, Bayern stormed back to beat Real Madrid 4-3 and win 6-4 on aggregate. The aggregate score was level until the 89th minute, when Luis Díaz and Michael Olise scored in quick succession to win it. Kompany's side are now in the Champions League semi-finals, where PSG awaits.

The Bavarians could be celebrating as soon as this weekend. With a twelve-point lead and only five games left, a win or draw combined with a Dortmund loss would clinch the title.

Team News:

Bayern are missing Tom Bischof, Lennart Karl, and Sven Ulreich due to injuries.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer, Stanišić, Kim, Ito, Davies, Kimmich, Goretzka, Guerreiro, Musiala, Diaz, Jackson

VfB Stuttgart

Stuttgart have faded down the stretch this season. After a great run of form, February and March yielded rough results. Stuttgart dropped points to relegation candidates Mainz and Heidenheim, and lost to St. Pauli. Three consecutive Europa League losses saw Sebastian Hoeneß's side eventually crash out of Europe, too.

Stuttgart remain poised for Champions League qualification, though. Last weekend, the Swabians put four past Hamburger SV to move ahead of RB Leipzig into third once more. With five games left, Stuttgart have a four-point lead over fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern have taken the last four meetings between the two sides. However, Hoeneß and co. will certainly remember their clash from May 2024, when two late goals gave Stuttgart a 3-1 win to leapfrog Bayern on the final day. 

Team News:

Stuttgart will be without top scorer Deniz Undav, who is suspended. He picked up his fifth yellow card last weekend in a 4-0 win over Hamburger SV.

Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1): Nübel, Jeltsch, Chabot, Hendriks, Leweling, Karazor, Stiller, Mittelstädt, Khannouss, Führich, Demirović