Bundesliga | Gameweek 15

Dec 21, 2024 at 2.30pm UK

Mercedes-Benz-Arena

Stuttgartvs.St Pauli

Match preview

The Reds deservedly won the match against Heidenheim, creating six good chances and boasting an xG of 1.6, almost double that of their opponents.

Sebastian Hoeness singled out striker Nick Woltemade for praise after the match, saying: "He was clearly the man of the match and had a hand in all three goals. He was also involved in a lot of other situations that helped us. He also took the pressure off us when he held balls or was fouled.

Hoeness's side finished runners-up in the 2023-24 season, but have made a poor start to the current campaign, winning just twice, drawing three and losing two of their first seven Bundesliga games.

However, Stuttgart appear to have rediscovered their form from last season, having won all four of their last matches and three of their last four league games.

Stuttgart have scored 17 goals in their last six matches, although they have kept just one clean sheet and conceded 11 times.

The hosts have won all three of their last home games and, despite losing the last two at the MHP Arena, have won 14 and drawn six of their last 20 at home.

Their opponents, St. Pauli, are just one point above 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the relegation play-off spot, although they are six points clear of the automatic relegation zone.

The Kiezkicker failed to create a single real chance against Werder Bremen and proved vulnerable at the back, despite controlling the first half and attempting 15 shots to the visitors' eight.

Alexander Blessin's side have scored 11 goals and conceded 19 in the Bundesliga, making them the worst attacking and fourth-best defensive club in the top flight.

Blessin's side are in poor form, having won just once and lost four of their last five matches.

The visitors' away record is equally worrying, with six of their nine away games ending in defeat.

Recent Performance

Stuttgart Bundesliga form:DLWDWW

Stuttgart form (all competitions):LDWWWW

St Pauli Bundesliga form:WLLWLL

Team News

Stuttgart go into Saturday's game with a largely healthy squad, although defender Dan-Axel Zagadou is not expected to return until February 2025, while striker El Bilal Toure could be sidelined until the end of March next year with a broken ankle.

Centre-backs Anthony Rouault and Julian Chabot are likely to form a partnership at the back alongside full-backs Josha Vagnoman and Maximilian Mittelstadt.

Up front, Woltemade is certain to start after his heroics last time out, and he could be joined by Ermedin Demirovic in a two-man attack.

St. Pauli, meanwhile, have a number of injury absentees, including goalkeepers Sascha Burchert, Ben Alexander Volland and Soren Ahlers, so Nikola Vasilj may be called upon in goal.

Midfielders Connor Metcalfe, Robert Wagner and Scott Banks are all out, so expect Jackson Irvine and Carlo Boukhalfa to start in a double pivot.

Forwards Simon Zoller and Elias Saad are unavailable, and their absence could see Blessin call on Morgan Guilavogui, Johannes Eggestein and Oladapo Afolayan in attack.

Defenders Hauke Wahl, Finley Stevens and David Nemeth could start in a back three with Karol Mets, Adam Dzwigala and Eric Smith all injured.

Possible starting lineup

Stuttgart possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Vagnoman, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Millot, Karazor, Stiller, Fuhrich; Woltemade, Demirovic

St Pauli possible starting lineup:

Vasilj; Wahl, Stevens, Nemeth; Saliakas, Irvine, Boukhalfa, Treu; Afolayan, Eggestein, Guilavogui