Preview - Bayern Munich vs Stuttgart 27 January 19

[Harry85]

Match Day 19
Bayern Munich vs. Stuttgart
Sunday, January 27th 2019
22:30pm (GMT+8 Timing)
Stadium: Allianz Arena

Bayern Munich: 
Last five matches form: W W W W W
Average goals per match: 2.17
Average goals against per match: 1.06
Top Scorer: Robert Lewandowski (11)

Stuttgart:
Last five matches form: L W L L L
Average goals against per match: 0.78
Average goals against per match: 2.11
Top Scorer: Mario Gómez (5)

Following a slow start Bayern Munich now seem to have the bit firmly between their teeth as they bid to haul in league leaders Borussia Dortmund. The gap still stands at six points though so they can't afford any slip ups, and won't be expecting any here as this weeks visitors to the Allianz Arena are third bottom Stuttgart.

Bayern made short work of the opposition in the reverse of this fixture when coming outon top 3-0 in Stuttgart. The defending champions did surprisingly slump to a heavy 4-1 defeat in this game last year - although the league was already sewn up by that stage and Munich had understandably taken their foot off the gas a little.

Creative influences Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry both miss out for Bayern here, along with Corentin Tolisso. Stuttgart must do without Benjamin Pavard, Jan Kliment and Alexander Mayer.

Bayern are certainly ticking along nicely at present and will be seeking their eighth league win on the spin in this one. The giants of the German game haven't been their usual dominant selves at home this season, but have still only lost the once and have scored three times in half of their eight games here.

It's been pretty desperate stuff from Stuttgart this season, with just four wins from their opening eighteen games seeing them sitting third bottom at the half way stage. They have won just once away from home - at fellow strugglers Nürnberg - and look overmatched here.

Bayern will miss Robben and Ribéry, but should still have way too much.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 3 - 0 Stuttgart

[Harry85]

Half time:  1 - 1
Full time: 4 - 1
Shots:  14 - 5
Shots on target: 7 - 4
Corner Kicks: 8 - 1
Possession: 64% - 36%

Just the one booking for each side at the Allianz Arena, with referee Frank Willenborg taking the names of David Alaba of Bayern and Christian Gentner of Stuttgart.

This one went pretty predictably in the end with the home side comprehensively outgunning their lowly opponents. Stuttgart did at least make a decent fist of it for a while though, before ultimately being swamped after the interval.

Bayern broke the deadlock in just the fifth minute. Persistent pressure from the home side in and around the area ending up with Robert Lewandowski laying the ball back towards Thiago following a cross from he right. Thiago finishing confidently into the bottom left from just inside the area.

Stuttgart then stunned the home fans with an equaliser in the 26th minute. Anastasios Donis chesting down a long ball, cutting in side and curling an absolute beauty into the top right corner from twenty five yards. 1-1 at the break.

Ten minutes into the second half Bayern were back in front. Stuttgart had at least four chances to clear their lines, but couldn't, and when Serge Gnabry rifled in  a low effort from the right corner of the eighteen yard box, Christian Gentner got in the way of it but could only send the ball into the top right corner of his own net.

Bayern made sure of the points in the 71st minute. Keeper and defenders missing a corner from the right and Leon Goretzka heading home.

The home side then put a seal on things six minutes from time. Robert Lewandowski played in by Joshua Kimmich, and drifting wide and around the keeper to the right before finishing high into the net from a tight angle. 4-1 final score.

Bayern stay second and six points adrift of league leaders Borussia Dortmund. No change for Stuttgart either who remain third bottom and a point adrift of safety.