Bayern Munich head coach Niko Kovac could hand James Rodriguez his first start of the season away to VfB Stuttgart on Saturday (kick-off: 6.30PM CEST/ 4.30PM GMT/ 12.30PM ET).
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Hosts Stuttgart have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the record German champions' visit to the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Head coach Tayfun Korkut handed debuts to Gonzalo Castro, Nicolas Gonzalez and Pablo Maffeo on Matchday 1, but the trio were unable to prevent VfB from going down to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Mainz. Daniel Didavi, back at his boyhood club for a second bite of the cherry, was a second-half substitute last time out and could come in here. Chadrac Akolo is another option in the attacking areas after replacing Erik Thommy with nine minutes of normal time left to play at Mainz's Opel Arena. Former Bayern players Holger Badstuber and Mario Gomez are nailed-on starters.
James was used as a late substitute for Franck Ribery as Bayern began their title defence with a 3-1 home win over Hoffenheim last Friday. The Colombian is yet to start a competitive game under Kovac, but is expected to take the place of either Thiago Alcantara or Thomas Müller in the Bayern midfield, now fully fit. Arjen Robben scored Bayern's third against Hoffenheim after replacing Kingsley Coman - who underwent ankle surgery at the weekend - and should start. Mats Hummels is set to be restored to the centre of defence at the expense of Jerome Boateng after being rested on Matchday 1. Serge Gnabry, Renato Sanches and 2018 FIFA World Cup winner Corentin Tolisso are alternatives in midfield, but Leon Goretzka is expected to be absent after limping out of Bastian Schweinsteiger's testimonial match against Chicago Fire on Tuesday eveing.
Probable line-ups
Stuttgart: Zieler – Maffeo, Pavard, Badstuber, Insua – Gentner (c), Castro, Ascacibar, Thommy – Didavi – GomezAbsentees: Meyer (ankle)Coach: Tayfun Korkut
Bayern: Neuer (c) – Kimmich, Süle, Hummels, Alaba – Müller, Martinez, James – Robben, Lewandowski, RiberyAbsentees: Coman (ankle), Goretzka (knock)Coach: Niko Kovac
prvkr
1
Bayern have made the league uncompetitive by buy the good players from neighboring clubs thereby crippling them.Bundesliga F A should place a rule districting the internal movement of players.Bayern is a big club and they can buy players anywhere in the world.They should let other club grow.The player they just signed from Shalke will really weaken the side.Anyway,I wish Bayern can conquer Europe again.
Tired of you guys[Sadtolook][Sadtolook]
prvkr
1
Wow probable line ups??? Since when AF have become 90 minutes??[Spittongue]
sunnysayus
1
Bayern have made the league uncompetitive by buy the good players from neighboring clubs thereby crippling them.Bundesliga F A should place a rule districting the internal movement of players.Bayern is a big club and they can buy players anywhere in the world.They should let other club grow.The player they just signed from Shalke will really weaken the side.Anyway,I wish Bayern can conquer Europe again.