Bayern Munich face Stuttgart in Bundesliga opener as Musiala misses out

Bayern Munich will begin their Bundesliga title defence against Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena, with Jamal Musiala among the players unavailable for the opening-day meeting.

The Bavarian champions are set to face the team who finished as runners-up in the most recent DFB-Pokal final, making the fixture an eye-catching start to the new German league season.

Vincent Kompany’s side will arrive with a formidable attacking line-up despite several absences, while Stuttgart and manager Sebastian Hoeneß begin the campaign with renewed ambitions after their strong recent performances. The match is expected to provide an early test of both teams’ credentials.

Musiala is ruled out, as are Bayern’s young midfielder Lennart Karl and winger Serge Gnabry. Kompany will therefore have fewer attacking options at his disposal, but the manager can call on new arrivals including Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown.

Bayern Munich’s expected starting XI is:

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer

Defenders: Konrad Laimer, Jonathan Tah, Kim Min-jae, Nathaniel Brown

Midfielders: Aleksandar Pavlovic, Ismael Saibari, Joshua Kimmich

Forwards: Michael Olise, Harry Kane, Luis Diaz

The inclusion of captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is expected to anchor a defence containing new signing Jonathan Tah alongside Kim Min-jae. Joshua Kimmich is likely to operate in midfield, with Aleksandar Pavlovic and Ismael Saibari also selected in the predicted line-up.

At the other end, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz are expected to support England captain Harry Kane in attack. Bayern’s attacking strength will be central to their hopes of starting the season with three points, particularly with Musiala, Gnabry and Karl all unavailable.

Stuttgart also have a number of fitness matters to resolve before travelling to Munich. Lorenz Assignon, Ramon Hendriks, Chris Fuhrich and Nikolas Nartey are all facing uncertainty, while Luca Jaquez is definitely ruled out.

The expected Stuttgart line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Fabian Bredlow

Defenders: Josha Vagnoman, Finn Jeltsch, Jeff Chabot, Maximilian Mittelstadt

Midfielders: Angelo Stiller, Bilal El Khannouss, Atakan Karazor

Forwards: Jamie Leweling, Deniz Undav, Chris Fuhrich

Fabian Bredlow is expected to start in goal, with Josha Vagnoman, Finn Jeltsch, Jeff Chabot and Maximilian Mittelstadt forming the likely defensive unit.

Angelo Stiller, Bilal El Khannouss and Atakan Karazor are tipped to make up the midfield, while Jamie Leweling and Deniz Undav are expected to lead the attack. Fuhrich is included among the probable forwards despite the fitness doubt surrounding him.

The Bundesliga fixture will be Bayern Munich’s first league match of the season and will be played at the Allianz Arena against Stuttgart.

According to the listed 1xBet prices, Bayern Munich are rated as strong favourites at 1.29 for victory. The draw is priced at 6.50, while a Stuttgart win is listed at 8.00.