Preview: Bayern Munich host VfB Stuttgart for their Bundesliga finale

The end of the 2017-2018 Bundesliga season is upon us, and what an eventful season it has been. After sputtering to an inconsistent start in the second year of Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure, Jupp Heynckes has put Bayern Munich on the cusp of surpassing the all-time biggest lead over second place in Bundesliga history. Heynckes set the previous record in the 2012-2013 season, when Bayern finished first with a massive 25-point lead.

Bayern currently lead Schalke by 24 points. If Bayern win and Schalke lose or draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, the record will fall.

Predicted lineups for Heynckes’s last ride

Bayern are entering their final contest of the season with a pronounced limp. Arjen Robben has little chance of starting after aggravating his leg injury in practice. Jerome Boateng has just begun to jog again. Kingsley Coman likewise is still rehabilitating, Arturo Vidal is out for the season, and Manuel Neuer’s interminable recovery continues.

What does that leave us? Well, at least one player has a heck of a reason to go all out: Robert Lewandowski is chasing the 30-goal mark and the ghost of Gerd Müller. Given all the bad press surrounding his Champions League performance and his ambitions of transferring to Real Madrid, he more than anyone could stand to end the season on a positive note.

We put our heads together and tried, one last time, to guess how Jupp Heynckes would line up the team tomorrow. So without further ado:

Chuck Smith: “The classic”

Chuck opts for a classic 4-2-3-1 with James on the 10 and Müller out wide. It's amazing how wonderful Javi Martinez has been in the defensive midfield this season. His career at Bayern looked as if it was over last season. It still astounds me that Pep Guardiola could find no better use for him than as a back-up center-back!

Tom Adams: “No goal for you, Robert! Bad! Bad boy!”

We all know Tom is a wild and crazy guy. He has been an absolute stud for us on social media almost all season, even getting BFW’s questions read live on ESPN, not once, but twice! Well, Tom doesn’t hold back with his lineups either. Here is the ultimate avant-garde: the youngsters lead the way with Dorsch and Evina supporting Sandro Wagner. Tom views this lineup as a calculated risk, and Robert Lewandowski’s personal records are not important.

Sir Phillip Quinn: “Breaking Badstuber”
(minor BFW news: I have unilaterally knighted Phil for his contributions this season)

No nonsense from Phil: Heynckes unleashes Bayern's full firepower against Stuttgart, downing them in a hailstorm of goals. Even the central midfield features an offensive upgrade, as Tolisso starts instead of Javi Martinez. Alas, it will be a trying day for Holger Badstuber, though he probably would not have it any other way. Which reminds me...

Official farewell for Badstuber

Holger is excited to return to the Allianz Arena, where he remains a fan favorite, even long after his transfer to Stuttgart:

It will be a special day for Holger (Münchner Merkur): Bayern plan to give him an official farewell! Many Bayern fans were upset that Badstuber did not receive a farewell game when he went directly to Stuttgart after his loan to Schalke. Since Bayern are playing their final game this season at home against Stuttgart, it is the perfect moment for a proper Servus. See you tomorrow, Holger!