"We want to win this game because we want to keep going," Kovac said at his pre-match press conference. "We have to keep up the pressure, and we can't underestimate anyone.

"If we go into this game like we did in the first half against Hoffenheim, then I am confident we will win the match."

Serge Gnabry will be fit for the home side, but defender Jerome Boateng is set to miss the fixture as he battles with a cold.

Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben will again both be absent, but Kovac is hopeful the inspirational duo could be involved in their next match at Bayer Leverkusen.

Stuttgart, 16th in the division, have lost their last three matches, but with the odds stacked against his team, boss Markus Weinzierl has not given up hope of springing a surprise result.

"Of course, Bayern are clear favourites, but other sides have already picked up points there this season," he said.

"We're going there with the task of thriving as underdogs, delivering a good performance and, in the best-case scenario, picking up points.

"We have 16 important matches left and the game in Munich and then our next games against Freiburg and Dusseldorf will set the tone for the rest of the season and determine how long it takes for us to get clear of the bottom."

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