Bayern Munich vs. Stuttgart: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

Bayern Munich will look to return to winning ways in the Bundesliga on Saturday when they take on Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena. The league leaders saw their hold on first place slip to five points last weekend, with their draw away to Frankfurt opening the door for Borussia Dortmund to narrow the gap from seven.

The Bavarians responded brilliantly in midweek, hammering Arsenal 5-1 in their Champions League clash. And accordingly, Pep Guardiola and Co. will bring plenty of confidence into the next round of Bundesliga action.

In spite of his side's massive win, Guardiola was not entirely satisfied with his team's performance. According to David Hytner of the Guardian, the trainer's aim "is to have 100 percent possession," a mark missed by 34 percent in Wednesday's victory. The match against Stuttgart will offer a new chance to strive for perfection, though, and Bayern will be raring to take their opportunity.

Often relegation candidates in recent years, Stuttgart enter Saturday's encounter in relatively good form. With three wins in their last four fixtures in all competitions, they have managed to stay in contention in the DFB-Pokal and risen to 15th in the Bundesliga table. However, Werder Bremen are level on points with the Swabians, who are only above a relegation play-off spot on goal difference.

Alexander Zorniger's men will need to dig deep if they are to take something from their toughest test of the campaign thus far. Nicknamed the "mini-Mourinho," the former RB Leipzig trainer will need his players at peak motivation. Upsets can and do occur, but it will take a yeoman's effort for the Swabians to match their fellow southern rivals.

Date: Saturday, November 7

Time: 2:30 p.m. GMT / 9:45 a.m. EST / 3:30 p.m. local time

Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich

TV Info: Fox Sports 1 (U.S. only), BT Sport Europe (UK only, on time delay from 23:45)

Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S. only), BT Sport (UK only)

Form Guide

Bayern Munich	Stuttgart
Arsenal: Win	Darmstadt: Win
Eintracht Frankfurt: Draw	Carl Zeiss Jena: Win
Wolfsburg: Win	Bayer Leverkusen: Loss
Cologne: Win	Ingolstadt: Win
Arsenal: Loss	Hoffenheim: Draw

Predicted Lineups

Bayern Munich

Pep Guardiola can expect to be without still-injured duo Mario Gotze and Juan Bernat, as well as Franck Ribery and Sebastian Rode, who are still working toward match fitness. Holger Badstuber could make his long-awaited return at center back, most likely off the bench.

The form of many Bayern stars will give Guardiola something of a headache. However, the trainer may be more likely to rotate following the Arsenal win, in which Mehdi Benatia, Arturo Vidal and Arjen Robben featured as substitutes. 

Possible Bayern starting XI: Neuer; Lahm, Benatia, Boateng, Alaba; Vidal, Thiago; Robben, Muller, Lewandowski, Costa

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Stuttgart

Stuttgart will have to manage without the services of injured forwards Martin Harnik, Daniel Ginczek and Robbie Kruse, as well as goalkeeper Mitch Langerak. The Swabians have typically used a two-man front line in recent weeks, but against Bayern they may prefer to use more width in moving Timo Werner to the wing.

Possible Stuttgart starting XI: Tyton; Klein, Sunjic, Baumgartl, Insua; Serey Die, Schwaab, Gentner; Didavi, Kliment, Werner

Players to Watch

Bayern pair Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski combined for three goals against Arsenal, raising their tally to 34 this season thus far. The two look to be unstoppable, although the same can be said for their support staff.

For Stuttgart, Werner and Daniel Didavi are probably the greatest hopes of a shock result. Both have been in good form as of late, and the former has long been touted as a future superstar. A strong performance against Bayern could catalyze his ascent to the top.

Key Battles

Robert Lewandowski vs. Timo Baumgartl

Muller may have found the net twice in midweek, but Lewandowski remains Bayern's top scorer and the focal point of the Bavarians' attack. The Poland international has taken on his responsibilities brilliantly and will be the primary danger man on Saturday.

Baumgartl is a very talented center-back, having debuted and held onto a starting role even as a teenager. If he is to keep Lewandowski quiet, however, he'll have to prove he isn't good only for his age, but as a professional footballer in general. Saturday's match may be the biggest test of his young career thus far.

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

David Alaba vs. Daniel Didavi

Alaba was in outstanding form against Arsenal, keeping things tidy at the back while also coming forward to devastating effect. He scored a brilliant goal from distance and provided an assist after surging into the penalty box and squaring with all the precision of an attacking winger.

Primarily an attacking player, Didavi will have to give Alaba a reason to defend. The Stuttgart man has spent much of his career sidelined with injuries, but when fit, he has shown real class on many occasions. He will have his work cut out on Saturday but could be the key to a potential upset for the visitors.

Odds (courtesy of Odds Shark)

Bayern: 100-909

Draw: 9-1

Stuttgart: 22-1

@Mr_Bundesliga