Bundesliga: Bayern Out to Widen the Gulf

Bayern Munich vs VfB Stuttgart

Considering these sides were only separated by a solitary point in the Bundesliga last season, you may expect this to be a close encounter.

Yet the difference since Stuttgart pipped Bayern Munich to the runners-up position on the final day of last term highlights how these two clubs operate on very different scales.

Talking Points

The case in point was evident the moment the transfer window opened.

In their quest to reclaim the title as Germany’s number one, Bayern swooped on Stuttgart to acquire the services of Japan defender Hiroki Ito, whilst kitting out young prospects Josip Stanišić—a title-winner with Leverkusen last term—and Arijon Ibrahimović with new deals, all before the official start of pre-season training.

A left-sided centre-back, Japan international Ito showed many qualities as he helped Die Roten claim the runners-up spot ahead of Bayern but, ultimately, they weren’t able to keep hold of him.

A player who likes to bring the ball out and show off an ability in possession that supplements his cerebral defending, the 25-year-old quickly became the third Japanese player to represent the Munich giants.

As so often is the case in Germany, if Bayern want a player from a domestic rival, they normally have the capacity to grab them, and so it proved again.

With four wins and two draws in their opening six league matches, they lead the table from RB Leipzig on goal difference, Bayern’s fine start contrasts with Stuttgart, who have been rather steadier, as two wins and three draws from their opening contests has left them in eighth.

While Munich are spearheaded by England captain Harry Kane, Stuttgart have at least been able to keep hold of one man who is at the top of his game right now.

Serhou Guirassy may have also been lured to Dortmund during the summer after his 14-goal haul, but Deniz Undav remains a Stuttgart player, and he has already picked up where he left off last term with his Bundesliga 2024 highlights so far including a double in a demolition of Borussia Dortmund.

He added another brace for Germany in the Nation’s League win against Bosnia last week and will be the man Bayern need to keep an eye on if they are to extend their unbeaten record.

History

These sides both won well on home soil last term.

Bayern won the corresponding fixture 3-0, courtesy of a double from Kane and one from defender Kim Min-Jae.

It was a different story in May though as Stuttgart ran out 3-1 winners thanks to late goals from Woo-Yeong Jeong and Silas Katompa Mvumpa.

It had been level with seven minutes remaining after Kane had cancelled out Leonidas Stergiou’s opener.

That allowed them to close the gap on Bayern to two points, a result which would prove crucial as they overhauled them on the final day of the season.

It was six years ago when Stuttgart last won on Bayern turf when a double from Daniel Ginczek, coupled with Anastasios Donis and Chadrac Akolo goals, secured a 4-1 win at the Allianz Arena.

Corentin Tolisso notched the Bayern consolation but, in truth, it hardly mattered as the title had already been won and the home celebrations had started long before the final whistle.

It was the turn of the millennium, the 1999/2000 campaign, when Stuttgart last enjoyed a league double over Germany’s dominant force.

The clubs also contested the 2013 German Cup Final, an occasion Bayern edged by the odd goal in five, thanks to a Thomas Muller penalty and a Mario Gomez double before Martin Harnik netted a brace of his own to give Stuttgart a glimmer.

Bayern have won 28 of their last 38 head-to-head clashes with five Stuttgart successes and a further five draws.

Betting Tip

It’s Bayern all the way with the SBOTOP Bundesliga 2024 betting odds.

The early league leaders are priced 1X2 @ 1.33 and Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 2.17, whereas Stuttgart are on offer 1X2 @ 6.10 and Asian Handicap +1.50 @ 1.98.

The draw will pay out @ 5.20 – very attractive for some.

If you believe the experts, this isn’t going to be a low-scoring affair, given that Total Goals 0-1 is available @ 6.70. That compares with 2-3 @ 2.51, 4-6 @ 2.10 and Over 3.75 @ 2.06.

A re-run of last season’s game in Bavaria gives you odds of @ 11.00 with Correct Score 3-0.

 

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