Given the media circus that has surrounded Bayern Munich over the last two weeks, Jupp Heynckes and his band of men will probably let out a sigh of relief as they go on their travels on Sunday.
The Bavarians have been under the glare of the world’s press following the appointment of Pep Guardiola and despite beating Greuther Furth 2-0 last week, the performance was surprisingly workmanlike from the well-oiled machine that shone prior to the winter break.
That said, they still enjoy a nine-point lead over joint-second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund and will be confident of racking up a 15th league win of the season over a VfB side who reside in 10th spot.
Daniel Van Buyten is likely to get the nod ahead of Jerome Boateng at centre-back, while Javi Martinez will partner Bastian Schweinsteiger in midfield and Arjen Robben could return in place of Thomas Muller.
Stuttgart are without Cacau and Christoph Hemlein through injury, with new loan signing Federico Macheda likely to start from the bench.
- VfB boss Bruno Labbadia played for Bayern between 1991 and 1994, winning the Bundesliga with the club in his final season in Bavaria.
- Stuttgart lost the 1986 DFB-Pokal final to Bayern Munich 5-2.
- Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm spent time on loan at Stuttgart during the early part of his career.
- Additionally, Mario Gomez began his career at the Mercedes Benz Arena before moving to Bavaria.
- Bayern Munich beat Stuttgart 6-1 at home earlier in the season, with Thomas Muller scoring twice in the victory.