Bayern Munich have a good recent record against VfB Stuttgart and have won 38 out of the last 54 matches played between the two teams

Stuttgart’s big goal is to return to the Champions League next season, but that goal has become significantly more difficult to achieve after the last few weeks. And now they also have to deal with title favourites Bayern Munich.

Bayern Munich could take another step towards reclaiming the Bundesliga title as they travel to Stuttgart for a matchday 24 clash on Friday. This match at the MHPArena, featuring seventh-placed Die Roten and league leaders Bayern, comes with our prediction of an away win.

Stuttgart sit on 36 points, just three behind the top four, while Bayern’s 58 points give them an eight-point cushion over Leverkusen. The hosts were held to a 1-1 draw at Hoffenheim last weekend, extending their poor recent form, with three defeats and just one win in their last five league outings.

This slump has cast doubt over their European qualification hopes, making a revival in home form crucial after back-to-back losses, following four wins in five prior home matches. Bayern, meanwhile, thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 at home last weekend, securing their eighth win in nine Bundesliga games.

The only setback in this is a goalless draw against Leverkusen, whom they face next week in the Champions League round of 16 first leg. While that fixture looms large, Bayern will be confident of continuing their domestic dominance here. They have won two of their last three league trips and will aim to replicate their commanding 4-0 victory in the reverse fixture.

Stuttgart looked like one of the main favourites for the Top 4 in the first half of the season, but their performance since mid-January has been disappointing. The poor Champions League results have carried over into the domestic league, as the Swabians have just one win in the last five Bundesliga rounds. And worse, they lost their last two home games as well.

Bayern Munich, on the other hand, are continuing their title raid and have won eight of their last nine Bundesliga games. The exception was a goalless draw with champions Bayer Leverkusen.

The Bavarians are almost uncompromising, rarely showing any weaknesses. In the last round, they destroyed Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 at home and kept their eight-point lead at the top of the standings.

Stuttgart: Nubel, Mittelstadt, Chabot, Hendriks, Stergiou, Larsen, Stiller, Karazor, Fuhrich, Woltemade, Undav.

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Laimer, Dier, Kim, Davies, Pavlovic, Goretzka, Sane, Musiala, Olise, Kane.