In a match that could have significant ramifications on the race for Champions League football in the Bundesliga, Stuttgart will welcome RB Leipzig to MHPArena on Wednesday.
The hosts defeated Augsburg 1-0 on Sunday and are seventh with 26 points, four points from fourth-placed Leipzig, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot and beat Werder Bremen 4-2 on January 12.
Match preview
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Though Stuttgart only won 1-0 on the weekend, they created four big chances, produced nearly 2.5 xG and faced just two shots on target, while also preventing Augsburg from creating a big chance of their own.
Head coach Sebastian Hoeness was critical of his team's performance towards the end of the first half, saying: "The first 30 minutes were really good. After that, we gave the ball away cheaply too often and lost our tempo. We invited the opposition onto us and lost control.
"I think we improved again in the second half and had enough chances to score a second goal. The lads defended very well against a side desperate to get the three points at home."
Hoeness's side are averaging 1.6 goals per game in the Bundesliga having found the back of the net 30 times in 16 games, and though they have averaged 1.9 goals per game in their last seven league fixtures, both figures fall short of the 2.3 goals per game they averaged last term.
The hosts' form over the past weeks has been strong, with the club winning five and losing one of their six most recent outings.
Die Roten were beaten 1-0 by St Pauli on December 21 in their last home match, but they did triumph in their previous three fixtures at MHPArena by a cumulative score of 10-3.
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Opponents RB Leipzig come into Wednesday's clash having deservedly defeated Werder Bremen considering they created four big chances compared to the Green-Whites' three, while also hitting the woodwork.
Boss Marco Rose had come under pressure in recent months for the club's poor form, but in the aftermath of the victory he hailed the impact of attacker Xavi Simons after his return from injury, telling reporters: "We know that Xavi is a difference-maker. I said to him right after the game: 'Great job'.
"And I don't mean today's game, but the way he came back from his injury. The way he worked after his injury and the way he came back."
Die Roten Bullen started their league season in fine defensive form given they kept six clean sheets and conceded two goals in their first seven games, but they have conceded 17 goals in their last six league matches.
Rose's team lost five and drew one of their six fixtures between November 2 and November 30, but to their credit they have won four of their subsequent six outings.
However, the visitors' record on the road is still concerning given they have been defeated in five of their past six matches on the road.
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Team News
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Stuttgart will have to contend with the absence of centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou, who is not likely to return until early February, so Anthony Rouault and Julian Chabot are almost certain to continue in central defence.
Striker El Bilal Toure and winger Justin Diehl will also not be in the squad to face Leipzig, and this could mean that forwards Nick Woltemade and Ermedin Demirovic are flanked by Enzo Millot and Chris Fuhrich.
In midfield, Angelo Stiller was partnered by Atakan Karazor against Augsburg, and the duo may be trusted to start together on Wednesday.
The visitors could field Kevin Kampl and Arthur Vermeeren together in a double pivot considering Amadou Haidara is suspended, as well as that Forzan Assan Ouedraogo is injured.
Defender Benjamin Henrichs has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to an Achilles tendon injury, while Castello Lukeba is dealing with a hamstring issue, so expect centre-backs Lukas Klostermann, Willi Orban and Nicolas Seiwald to feature in a back three.
Elsewhere, striker Yussuf Poulsen will not be in the squad as a result of a thigh injury, and this could mean that striker Benjamin Sesko is supported by Lois Openda and Simons.
Stuttgart possible starting lineup:
Nubel; Vagnoman, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Millot, Karazor, Stiller, Fuhrich; Woltemade, Demirovic
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Seiwald; Baku, Kampl, Vermeeren, Raum; Openda, Xavi; Sesko
We say: Stuttgart 2-1 RB Leipzig
Stuttgart should be confident of achieving a positive result at home given the visitors' poor record on the road.
Additionally, RB Leipzig have been vulnerable defensively recently, and considering the hosts have improved in front of goal, it would not be surprising if Hoeness's side claimed all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
