Bundesliga | Gameweek 25

Mar 8, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

VOLKSWAGEN ARENA

Wolfsburg vs St Pauli

Match preview

Following a 1 - 1 draw against relegation - endangered VfL Bochum and a narrow 1 - 0 defeat to RB Leipzig in the DFB - Pokal quarter - finals, Wolfsburg returned to winning form by triumphing over Werder Bremen 2 - 1 in the Bundesliga last weekend.

Patrick Wimmer had managed to score just a single goal in his initial 19 Bundesliga appearances this season. However, it was his double strike that propelled the Wolves to victory in Bremen, stretching their unbeaten run in the top - flight to six matches.

Wolfsburg conceded a late goal during the win against Bremen. Nevertheless, they held firm to secure all three points. This was no mean feat considering that, in the Bundesliga this season, they had already dropped a league - leading 16 points from winning positions.

Ralph Hasenhuttl's team has amassed 37 points after 24 matches. This is the same point total as at the corresponding stage last season, with 10 games still left to play. They've ascended to the seventh spot in the league table, trailing the Champions League qualification positions by just four points.

Wolfsburg has failed to score in only two Bundesliga fixtures this season, one of which was a 0 - 0 draw against St Pauli in October. Given that they've lost just one of their past 10 home games (with 5 wins and 4 draws), despite having drawn their last three in a row, they're confident of achieving a favorable result on Saturday.

St Pauli endured its fourth consecutive Bundesliga defeat without finding the back of the net last weekend when it was beaten 2 - 0 at home by Borussia Dortmund. This marked their 15th league loss of the season.

Last season's second - tier champions have dropped to 15th in the top - flight standings. They're precariously perched just four points above the relegation playoff spot currently held by VfL Bochum, whom St Pauli will face on the final matchday of the season.

Alexander Blessin has the challenging task of devising the right strategy to help St Pauli regain its goal - scoring form. So far this season, no other Bundesliga team has scored fewer goals than St Pauli, which has netted only 18 times.

St Pauli is also the solitary team in Europe's top - five leagues that has yet to pick up a single point from a losing position this term. However, there's cause for optimism regarding Saturday's encounter. In the top two divisions, they've lost only one of their previous 15 meetings with Wolfsburg (recording 5 wins and 9 draws), and they're on a five - game unbeaten run in the Bundesliga (1 win and 4 draws).

Recent Performance

Wolfsburg Bundesliga form:DDDWDW

Wolfsburg form (all competitions):DDWDLW

St Pauli Bundesliga form:WDLLLL

Team News

Wolfsburg will have to do without Kamil Grabara (thigh injury), Sebastiaan Bornauw (foot injury), Lovro Majer (ankle injury), Lukas Nmecha (groin injury), Kevin Paredes (foot injury), Rogerio, and Bartosz Bialek (both with knee injuries). Additionally, Maximilian Arnold (knee issue) is doubtful for the upcoming game.

Hasenhuttl might contemplate making changes to the right side of his team. Right - back Kilian Fischer and the versatile attacker Tiago Tomas are in the running to be recalled, potentially at the expense of Mads Roerslev and Andreas Skov Olsen.

Jonas Wind, who has netted 10 goals this season and is Wolfsburg's top scorer, is expected to continue leading the attack. Mohammed Amoura, who has 9 goals to his credit, will likely operate just behind him.

As for St Pauli, Sascha Burchert (groin injury), Morgan Guilavogui (wrist injury), Connor Metcalfe (muscle injury), Karol Mets (knee injury), James Sands (ankle injury), Robert Wagner (thigh injury), and Simon Zoller (calf injury) all remain sidelined due to their respective injuries.

Manolis Saliakas is eager to force his way back into the first - XI as the right wing - back, potentially displacing Lars Ritzka. If this happens, Philipp Treu would be able to shift to his preferred left wing - back position.

Johannes Eggestein has managed to score only three Bundesliga goals in 22 matches this season. Nevertheless, he is expected to continue as the central striker, with Elias Saad and Noah Weisshaupt set to offer offensive support from the flanks.

Possible starting lineup

Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:

Muller; Fischer, Vavro, Koulierakis, Maehle; Tomas, Svanberg, Vranckx, Wimmer; Amoura; Wind

St Pauli possible starting lineup:

Vasilj; Nemeth, Wahl, Van der Heyden; Saliakas, Irvine, Smith, Treu; Saad, Eggestein, Weisshaupt