VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Munich will meet at MHPArena for German football’s traditional curtain-raiser on Saturday night in the German Super Cup.
Sebastian Hoeness’ side will be looking to go one better this year after losing last year's showpiece to Bayer Leverkusen on penalties.
The Reds stamped their ticket to another Super Cup showdown after triumphing in last season’s DFB-Pokal final with a 4-2 win over Arminia Bielefeld.
Enzo Millot bagged a brace in that 4-2 victory but he has since departed the club to join Saudi club Al-Ahli.
As for Bayern Munich, they reclaimed their grip on the Bundesliga last term, cruising their way to a record-extending 34th German top-flight crown.
Vincent Kompany's side have since participated in the new-look Club World Cup, exiting the competition at the quarter-final stage after losing 2-0 to PSG.
How the bookies view it: Bayern to bag the prize
Unsurprisingly, Bayern Munich come into this clash as short-priced 8/15 favourites on Boylesports.
VfB Stuttgart are as big as 10/3 on Boylesports to emerge victorious while the 90 minute draw is also deemed unlikely at 7/2 with the same firm.
Head to head: Bayern rule the roost
Bayern Munich have dominated this fixture over the years, triumphing in four of the last five meetings between the pair. Both teams have scored in three of those five Bayern victories, making a repeat here a value option at 17/10 on Boylesports.
Players to watch: Kane to make his mark?
Given his remarkable goalscoring record since joining Bayern Munich, Harry Kane holds plenty of appeal to get on the scoresheet on Saturday night at 4/5 on Boylesports. The England captain has an impressive strike rate in this fixture, netting six times across his previous four appearances against Stuttgart.
Nick Woltemade was one of VfB Stuttgart’s star players last season, not to mention he also performed admirably for Germany at the European U21 Championship earlier this summer. The Stuttgart forward is as big as 5/2 on Boylesports to make the net bulge on Saturday night.
Predicted line-ups
VfB Stuttgart have a relatively clean bill of health coming into this clash, with Angelo Stiller the only player expected to miss out for the Reds.
Bayern Munich boss Kompany will be unable to call upon the services of long-term injury victims Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala.
VfB Stuttgart: Nubel; Mittelstadt, Chabot, Jaquez, Assignon; Karazor, Keitel; Fuhrich, Woltemade, Leweling; Undav
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Stanisic, Tah, Upamecano, Laimer; Goretzka, Kimmich; Diaz, Gnabry, Olise; Kane
Anything else catch the eye?
Joshua Kimmich looks well worthy of support to commit a minimum of one foul on Saturday night at even-money (1/1) on Bet 365.
The Bayern Munich ace is expected to be deployed in a central midfield role, so he should have plenty of defensive work to get through.
It's also worth noting that Kimmich fell foul of the referee in three of his final four appearances for Bayern Munich in last season’s Champions League.
GambleAware