Bundesliga | Gameweek 20

Feb 1, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Mercedes-Benz-Arena

Stuttgart vs Borussia M'bach

Match preview

The home side created four great chances but only managed one against Mainz, when Deniz Undav wasted a golden opportunity in the middle of the penalty area, firing an unmarked shot wide of the left-hand post in the 13th minute.

The Roten only hold the final Champions League qualification spot thanks to a better goal difference than fifth-placed RB Leipzig, but only the top three have collected more than Stuttgart's nine points from their last four Bundesliga games.

Coach Sebastian Hoeness's side were knocked out of this season's Champions League with a 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday to finish 26th.

In the reverse fixture on 14 September, Stuttgart ran out 3-1 winners against Borussia Monchengladbach in a match in which they hit the woodwork and created six good chances.

Despite losing their last two matches, Hoeness' men have won eight of their last nine and have won six, drawn two and lost just one of their last nine league games.

The hosts' home record in the Bundesliga is also strong, having won five of their last seven top-flight matches at the MHPArena and scored at least two goals in all but two of their 10 home league games.

As for Borussia Monchengladbach, their second-half performance against Bochum was exceptional, with almost two of their 2.26 xG and five of their six clear-cut chances coming after the break.

The Fohlen are just four points behind sixth-placed Mainz, who occupy the Bundesliga's Conference League qualification spot, and five points behind RB Leipzig.

Coach Gerardo Seoane will be pleased that his side kept a clean sheet against Bochum, their first in eight matches, having conceded eight goals in their previous two outings.

It should be noted that Seoane's side have only won back-to-back matches once this season, losing the three games prior to their last victory.

The visitors' away form has been poor this term, with six defeats, two draws and just one win in their last nine away games.

Team News

Stuttgart midfielder Atakan Karazor is suspended for accumulating yellow cards and will be joined on the sidelines by defender Jeff Chabot, who is also suspended.

Angelo Stiller is certain to start in midfield and could be joined by Yannik Keitel in a double pivot, while Anthony Rouault and Ameen Al-Dakhil could be deployed in front of goalkeeper Alexander Nubel with centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou injured.

Striker El Bilal Toure and winger Justin Diehl are both sidelined, so Undav could be forced into a two-man attack alongside Nick Woltemade.

Meanwhile, Borussia Monchengladbach will be without attacking midfielder Alassane Plea and winger Franck Honorat will be out until May with a broken ankle.

Striker Tim Kleindienst is likely to be joined in attack by Robin Hack, Tomas Cvancara and Kevin Stoger.

In midfield, Rocco Reitz and Julian Weigl are likely candidates to start in front of centre-backs Nico Elvedi and Marvin Friedrich.

Possible starting lineup

Stuttgart possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Vagnoman, Rouault, Al-Dakhil, Mittelstadt; Larsen, Keitel, Stiller, Fuhrich; Undav, Woltemade

Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:

Nicolas; Scally, Friedrich, Elvedi, Ullrich; Weigl, Reitz; Cvancara, Stoger, Hack; Kleindienst