Vincent Kompany insisted his Bayern Munich team would have to battle past one of their "toughest opponents" in Stuttgart in order to retain their Bundesliga title. 

Bayern are on the cusp of a 35th top-flight title after Borussia Dortmund were beaten 2-1 by Hoffenheim, with a point at Allianz Arena on Sunday enough for Kompany's team to claim the crown.

However, they come up against a Stuttgart side with ambitions of their own, with Sebastian Hoeness' team in the mix to reach the Champions League in back-to-back seasons. 

With 56 points after 29 games, Stuttgart are enjoying their third-best Bundesliga season in the three-points-for-a-win era. Only in 2003-04 (57) and 2023-24 (63) have they had more points at this stage of a campaign. 

Stuttgart have only surpassed 17 wins after 29 Bundesliga games in 2023-24 (20), and Kompany acknowledged the difficulties the champions elect will face on home turf. 

"The title only plays a role at the end of the season. We're playing one of the toughest opponents," Kompany told reporters. 

"If you look at how the recent encounters went, it was always very tight. I'm expecting physicality in the game. Stuttgart aren't just a good team but also physical.

"They can also be a threat from long balls. They have the second-best attack [in the Bundesliga]. It's a good game for the fans. There'll be a lot going on."

Kompany was also asked about the possibility of potential title celebrations, prior to finding out Dortmund's result, but the Bayern boss said that he and his players did not want to get ahead of themselves just yet. 

"The players have already said that they'll turn their attentions straight to Leverkusen [DFB Cup semi-final] after the game, regardless of what happens," Kompany added.

"We can all live with having to wait a bit longer to celebrate. We'll soon determine how often we celebrate and how big. We want to win against Stuttgart and then keep going."

Bayern's clash with Stuttgart starts a run of four games in nine days, including taking on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals.

Kompany's side have qualified for their 22nd European Cup/Champions League semi-final, with only Real Madrid (33) having reached more.

Bayern are assigned a 35% chance of going all the way by the Opta supercomputer, with only Arsenal (38%) better fancied in its tournament simulations. 

But when asked whether he would rotate his team around their hectic schedule, Kompany said: "It's not really about rotation. We've been doing it all season. We're utilising the squad because we need to. 

"It's made us better and always helped us. We've got competition. People want to prove themselves for games. Competition is our strength."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bayern Munich – Michael Olise

Olise recently registered his 30th direct goal involvement in this Bundesliga season (12 goals, 18 assists) – only Harry Kane has more (36).

For the first time since detailed data collection began in 2004-05, two Bayern players have surpassed 30 direct goal involvements within a Bundesliga season. 

Since then, only Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko (32) and Grafite (33) in the 2008-09 championship season had previously achieved this.

Stuttgart – Ermedin Demirovic

Stuttgart will be without the suspended Deniz Undav, with only Kane scoring more goals in this Bundesliga season (31). 

Undav has 18 league goals to his name this term.

Therefore, Hoeness will be hoping to turn to Demirovic to provide the goals for his team. The Bosnian has netted nine times in 20 Bundesliga appearances this season, while his five assists are only bettered by Jamie Leweling (seven) and Chris Fuhrich (six). 

MATCH PREDICTION: BAYERN MUNICH WIN

No other club has celebrated as many wins against a single opponent in Bundesliga history as Bayern have against Stuttgart (72 in 113 games). This weekend's visitors lost 5-0 at home in the reverse fixture, which remains their heaviest Bundesliga defeat under Hoeness.

And with 76 points after 29 games, Bayern are playing their third-best Bundesliga season – only in 2013-14 and 2012-13 (78 each) did they have more points at this stage.

Kompany's side have also scored 105 goals in this Bundesliga season, a new top-flight record (previously 101 in 1971-72). Stuttgart have, however, netted 60 times this term, the joint-second most with Borussia Dortmund. 

But both sides have been equally impressive in defence. Bayern and Stuttgart have both kept 11 clean sheets in this Bundesliga season (level with RB Leipzig), with only Dortmund keeping more (13).

And it will be a special day for Jamal Musiala, who is set to play his 150th Bundesliga game for Bayern at 23 years and 52 days old. He would be the second-youngest player to reach this milestone for the club, after Uli Hoeness (23 years, 41 days). 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Bayern Munich – 63.2%

Draw – 18.7%

Stuttgart – 18.1%