Stuttgart will hope to win their third game of their 2024-25 league campaign when they host Hoffenheim on Sunday at MHPArena in the Bundesliga.
The hosts have drawn their last two games in all competitions and are eighth in the table with eight points after five league games, while the visitors are third last in 16th place with just three points from five matchweeks.
Match preview
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Stuttgart won four of their first five Bundesliga games in 2023-24 but have so far struggled for consistency this term given they have lost once, drawn twice and won twice in five league matches in 2024-25.
Manager Sebastian Hoeness's side have shipped goals in eight of their nine competitive games this season, conceding 16 times and scoring on 23 occasions.
In their last match, the hosts drew 1-1 with Sparta Prague on October 1 in their second Champions League fixture, a game in which Stuttgart had 76% possession but still faced 14 shots.
Die Roten also drew 2-2 in their most recent Bundesliga match on September 28 against Wolfsburg, and to their credit, Hoeness's team managed to overcome the adversity of having a player sent off in 63rd minute by staying in the game until they scored an equaliser deep into second-half stoppage time.
Stuttgart have an impressive home record and have won 10, drawn four and lost none of their last 14 league games at MHPArena.
It should be noted that Hoffenheim were the last team to beat Die Roten at home, with Stuttgart unbeaten in the last 17 competitive home matches.
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The visitors lost 4-3 last time out in the league on September 29 against Werder Bremen despite having taken a 3-0 lead after just 12 minutes.
Boss Pellegrino Matarazzo could point to the fact his side had been reduced to 10 men when Stanley N'Soki was sent off in the 18th minute as a mitigating factor for their defeat, but he will still be concerned that Werder Bremen managed to level the scoreline by the 39th minute.
In the aftermath of the defeat, rumours about Matarazzo's future began to circulate, with David Wagner recently linked to the job.
Despite their troubles domestically, Hoffenheim still managed to win 2-0 last time out on October 3 against Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League, their only win in the last six matches.
Hoffenheim have a poor away record and have won two, drawn two and lost 10 of their 14 most recent away Bundesliga fixtures.
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Team News
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Stuttgart have three confirmed injury absentees, with centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou, winger Justin Diehl and defender Nikolas Nartey not expected to be ready for Sunday's clash, and Zagadou and Diehl are likely to miss out until January and November respectively.
Leonidas Stergiou, Josha Vagnoman and Ameen Al Dakhil are doubts for the game, though the trio should return in the coming days.
Die Roten could name an unchanged back four to the one that started against Dynamo Kiev, so expect Pascal Stenzel, Anthony Rouault, Julian Chabot and Maximilian Mittelstadt to start in defence.
Atakan Karazor and Angelo Stiller may start in a double pivot in midfield, while Ermedin Demirovic and Deniz Undav lead the forward line.
Hoffenheim will be without the suspended Stanley N'Soki, as well as centre-back Ozan Kabak and midfielder Grischa Promel, who are not scheduled to return until February and May respectively.
Ihlas Bebou is unlikely to feature until late December, while Pavel Kaderabek and Dennis Geiger are not scheduled to return until the end of October.
Midfielder Finn Becker could be available for selection in the middle of the month, but in his absence boss Matarazzo may field Florian Grillitsch and Tom Bischof in the middle of the pitch.
Stuttgart possible starting lineup:
Nubel; Stenzel, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Millot, Karazor, Stiller, Leweling; Undav, Demirovic
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Drexler, Stach, Akpoguma; Gendrey, Grillitsch, Bischof, Prass; Kramaric, Bulter; Hlozek
We say: Stuttgart 3-1 Hoffenheim
While Stuttgart have been inconsistent this term, it is difficult to see them dropping points at home given their strong record at MHPArena.
Additionally, Hoffenheim are in poor form, and it would be surprising if they managed to avoid defeat on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
