BAYERN MUNICH
Neuer
Lahm • Boateng • Buyten • Alaba
Martínez • Schweinsteiger
Robben • Müller • Ribéry
Mandžukić
STUTTGART
Ulreich
Sakai • Taşçı • Niedermeier • Molinaro
Gentner • Boka
Harnik • Traoré • Maxim
Ibišević
Bayern Munich have been dealt a blow with the news that Dante and Luiz Gustavo will miss the DFB-Pokal final due to their involvement in the Confederations Cup late in June.
While the latter would have started from the bench, the former will be replaced by Daniel Van Buyten at the heart of defence.
Meanwhile, Toni Kroos is sidelined until the start of next season and Holger Badstuber will miss the rest of 2013.
Meanwhile, Stuttgart have an almost full-strength squad to pick from. Daniel Didavi has a knee problem, but was unlikely to play anyway.
Ibrahima Traore will replace Shinji Okazaki from the team who drew 2-2 with Mainz on the final day of the Bundesliga season, but they should be unchanged otherwise, with Alexandru Maxim keeping his place in the XI.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Pokal final will be Bayern Munich boss' Jupp Heynckes' final game in German football. He represented Borussia Monchengladbach and Hannover as a player before coaching the Foals, the Bavarians, Frankfurt, Schalke and Leverkusen.
Bayern have won the Pokal 15 times, more than any other club.
Captain Philipp Lahm spent time on loan at Stuttgart as a youngster, while striker Mario Gomez started his career at the Mercedes Benz Arena.
Stuttgart lost to Bavarian opposition last time they reached the DFB-Pokal final, slipping to a 3-2 defeat to Nurnberg in extra time.
The Swabians won two of the first six editions of the competition in its current incarnation, but have only won it once since 1997.
Coach Bruno Labbadia spent three years at the Allianz Arena during his playing days.
Prediction
Bayern will certainly feel the absence of Dante, who has been the mainstay of the side's defence, but should end up on top nonetheless. They have recorded two comprehensive victories over their southern rivals this term and should encounter no serious problems on Saturday.
Editor's Prediction
Bayern 3-1 VfB Stuttgart
