An Easy Must-Win? Bayern Continue Bundesliga Chase Against Stuttgart

FC Bayern Munich vs VfB Stuttgart

What was once a one-horse race became a battle between two as Bayern Munich coolly collected themselves and let the game come to them.

While Borussia Dortmund have started the season with a fantastic sprint, Bayern Munich took their time as they knew that they are still the team to beat in the Bundesliga. They are now only six points behind the league leaders and can still take back the title given the number of games still left to play.

In order to do that, though, they have to ensure their triumph against teams that are weaker than them in every aspect. VfB Stuttgart have always been a middling team with players and a playing style that doesn’t suit their aspirations.

However, today’s Die Roten team might look and play differently as they attempt to get out of the relegation battle they currently find themselves in. Who knows; maybe Benjamin Pavard can pull off a miracle?

Talking Points

Bayern in total control of their destiny

Bayern Munich have always been a side that will always win their games, and it’s pretty hard to believe that they will buckle now of all places. While they did experience a rough patch of form in the campaign’s early days, it now seems like those are more akin to the team getting used to Niko Kovac’s system rather than his tactics not being effective.

In fact, the last time they actually lost a football match was during their tight Der Klassiker duel with Borussia Dortmund in November. Their most recent outing against Hoffenheim is the perfect Bundesliga 2019 highlights showcase of how the Bavarians are performing in the table.

It’s hard not to see why the team is succeeding if we take a look at the players at Kovac’s disposal. Robert Lewandowski continues to attract defenders with his superb abilities in front of the goal. Joshua Kimmich has established himself as a mainstay in the club. Serge Gnabry, Niklas Sule and Leon Goretzka provide youth in a very old team.

If we take a look at the club’s current situation, there’s little to no wonder why Bayern and Germany stopper Manuel Neuer is extremely confident of the team’s chances to catch up to Dortmund. When you have players such as these playing in front of you day in and day out, how would you not feel good about your chances?

A must-win game for Stuttgart’s survival

Stuttgart are only 3 points ahead of drop zone in Bundesliga Bundesliga table — VfB Stuttgart’s Gonzalo Castro fights for the ball against BVB’s Thomas Delaney

Stuttgart didn’t want to be embroiled in a relegation battle, but Markus Weinzierl is struggling to piece together consecutive wins with the team that he has. They are still depending on an old man for goals, and they cannot expect to last long in the league if they do not find a way to score some goals.

Mario Gomez is far from the man who scored 75 goals for Bayern Munich from 2009 to 2013. The forward has only scored five goals this season and badly needs some reinforcement from the wings if they are going to stay up in the top flight.

However, there is no one in the Stuttgart attacking unit that can provide a proper reinforcement for the 33-year-old. Nicolas Gonzales and Anastasios Donis are the only ones in the squad that have scored more than once for the club. Moreover, their shoddy defence hasn’t given him any favours. Just look at how Dortmund took care of Die Roten earlier this season.

It is fortunate for them that they still have a talented superstar in Benjamin Pavard, but even the France international might not play in a Stuttgart shirt for long. He has attracted the attention of some of the best clubs in Europe, and it’s only a matter of time before a big-money offer that they cannot deny at all is made.

Assuming that Pavard will leave in the summer, they must be able to win and survive in the season so they can send off their full-back with a smile. However, that doesn’t look to be the case.

History

The two Bundesliga institutions have played each other at least 107 times since 1967, and there is no question as to which team between the two is better. Bayern won 68 of their head-to-head matches and split the points with them 20 times. Stuttgart have only against the Bavarians 19 times.

Bayern are looking good form-wise. Bayern have won the Bundesliga title six straight times since 2012/13 and haven’t dropped from the top three since 2006/07. In the meantime, Stuttgart are struggling to repeat the brilliant form that helped them end the 2017/18 campaign at seventh.

Betting Tip

	FC Bayern Munich vs VfB Stuttgart	Bayern Munich Asian Handicap -2.75 @ 2.03
	January 27, 22:30 (GMT+8)

I fully expect Bayern Munich to come out of the gates swinging and take down VfB Stuttgart from the first half alone. I expect Lewandowski to score against a squad with the second-poorest goal difference in the entire German top flight, and the SBOBET tips agree with my opinion.

Don’t stray off from what many Bundesliga 2019 predictions are telling you and go for the Asian Handicap market. I confidently declare that the Bavarians would be able to snag a three-goal lead before the end of the game.

That’s how good this team is: such a ridiculous standard is set because you believe it can be met.