Bayern München begin their Bundesliga title defence at the Allianz Arena on Friday. VfB Stuttgart are hoping to spring a surprise against Vincent Kompany’s attack-minded team.

Kane to lead Bayern’s push for another title

Harry Kane is again likely to be the main man for Bayern München this season. The experienced striker registered 36 goals in 31 appearances in the German top flight last term, while netting a further 14 times in the Champions League.

Both Kane and Michael Olise are already back in action, following busy World Cups. The Frenchman scored and assisted as Bayern won the DFL-Supercup thanks to a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund last weekend. With Luis Díaz also available, the hosts will be hoping to find their stride again in attack quickly.

Kompany does have a few fitness issues to contend with. Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry are not likely to be involved, but Lennart Karl could make the bench following his injury.

Bayern München predicted lineup vs VfB Stuttgart (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Tah, Kim, Stanišić; Kimmich, Pavlović; Olise, Brown, Díaz; Kane.

Injury problems for VfB Stuttgart ahead of the new campaign

VfB Stuttgart returned to competitive action last Friday with a 4-0 DFB-Pokal win over Hansa Rostock. They were dealt an injury setback in that game, with Nikolas Nartey suffering a hamstring issue that will rule him out of the Bundesliga opener.

Chris Führich is an additional fitness doubt, while Lorenz Assignon, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Dennis Seimen are confirmed absentees. That means it may be several weeks before Sebastian Hoeneß is able to field his strongest lineup.

Dženan Pejčinović will lead the line at the Allianz Arena. He registered eight goals in 30 league appearances last term, while averaging 1.7 shots per game.

VfB Stuttgart predicted lineup vs Bayern München (4-2-3-1): Bredlow; Vagnoman, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstädt; Prömel, Stiller; Tomás, Undav, Führich; Pejčinović.

Bayern München vs VfB Stuttgart Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Bayern München -1 Handicap
  • Odds: 1.33 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Bayern München 4-1 VfB Stuttgart
  • 22Bet Booking Code: FSK6D

Key stats:

  • Bayern München have won each of the previous six meetings.
  • The clubs clashed three times last season, with Bayern scoring 13 times and conceding only twice.
  • VfB Stuttgart have kept just one clean sheet in eight competitive fixtures.

Backing Bayern München to win this match by at least two goals is a safe pick. They’ll be sharper this Friday after a real test in Dortmund and have fewer selection issues than their opponents.

Last season’s encounters also highlighted the gulf in class and how this VfB Stuttgart defence cannot live with the Bayern forward line. The Bavarians have won five of the past six meetings by margins of two or more goals. They scored 3.5 goals per 90 minutes on average across that period.

Bayern München vs VfB Stuttgart Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Bayern München to win & Both teams to score
  • Odds: 2.03 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 26M6D

With Hoeneß at the helm, VfB Stuttgart always take some risks and try to attack even the strongest opponents. Their last five Bundesliga fixtures have seen both teams score.

Backing the hosts to win and both teams to score offers value at odds of 2.03. That was a winning bet in 53% of Bayern’s home matches in the German top flight last term.

Verdict: Bayern München -1 Handicap (1.33) — Bayern München 4-1 VfB Stuttgart