Bundesliga | Gameweek 32

May 3, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Millerntor-Stadion

St Pauli vs Stuttgart

Match preview

St Pauli held Werder Bremen, who had won their previous four games, to a goalless stalemate on 27 April, limiting them to just one clear-cut chance.

The clean sheet was the club's first in five games, although it should be noted that they have the third-best defensive record in the division, having conceded just 36 times in the top flight this season.

Coach Alexander Blessin's side will be guaranteed safety if they win and 16th-placed Heidenheim fail to beat bottom side VfL Bochum on Friday, but their status as a Bundesliga side will also be secured if they avoid defeat and Heidenheim lose.

The Kiezkicker are unbeaten in four matches - three draws and one win - and their only defeat in their last seven matches was a narrow 3-2 loss to eventual champions Bayern Munich on 29 March.

St Pauli are also unbeaten in their last three home games, winning one of them, but have lost seven and drawn three of their last 12 at the Millerntor.

Visitors Stuttgart dominated most attacking metrics against Heidenheim, creating almost two xG and two good chances, while preventing their opponents from registering any shots on target from inside the box.

Head coach Sebastian Hoeness will be alarmed by his side's defensive frailty, as they have conceded seven goals in their last three games, despite only conceding just over three xG in that time.

Die Roten lost 1-0 to St. Pauli in the reverse fixture on 21 December, although they have won six of their last seven meetings with the hosts.

Stuttgart's form in the Bundesliga has been worrying, with only one of their last 10 league games in which they have taken all three points and six defeats.

Hoeness' men have proved more resilient away from home, drawing three, winning one and losing just one of their last five away from home.

Recent Performance

St Pauli Bundesliga form:WLDWDD

Stuttgart Bundesliga form:LLWLDL

Stuttgart form (all competitions):LWWLDL

Team News

St Pauli midfielder Conor Metcalfe was sent off against Werder Bremen and will join Jackson Irvine and James Sands on the sidelines.

Carlo Boukhalfa and Eric Smith paired up in midfield last time out and could start on Saturday behind forwards Noah Weisshaupt, Morgan Guilavogui and Danel Sinani, although striker Simon Zoller is injured.

With centre-back Karol Mets and goalkeeper Sascha Burchert still recovering from injuries, shot-stopper Nikola Vasilj could start behind central defenders David Nemeth, Hauke Wahl and Siebe Van der Heyden.

Stuttgart will be without strikers El Bilal Toure and Justin Diehl, which could see Nick Woltemade and Ermedin Demirovic partnered up front.

In midfield, Enzo Millot is not expected to return until the middle of the month and his injury could see Hoeness start Atakan Karazor and Angelo Stiller against St Pauli.

With centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou ruled out, expect Finn Jeltsch and Julian Chabot to start at the heart of defence.

Possible starting lineup

St Pauli possible starting lineup:

Vasilj; Nemeth, Wahl, Van der Heyden; Saliakas, Boukhalfa, Smith, Treu; Weisshaupt, Guilavogui; Sinani

Stuttgart possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Stergiou, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Leweling, Karazor, Stiller, Fuhrich; Woltemade, Demirovic