After their dominant win against Borussia Dortmund last time out, Stuttgart will hope to pick up their third win of the 2024-25 Bundesliga season when they travel to Volkswagen Arena on Saturday, where they will face Wolfsburg.
The home team are currently in 13th place and have just three points from their four matches so far, while the visitors have seven points and are in seventh place.
Match preview
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Wolfsburg have lost three of their four league matches this campaign, including a 4-3 loss last time out against Bayer Leverkusen on September 22.
Though the Wolves' defeat should not be seen as unexpected given they faced last season's Bundesliga champions, they will be bitterly disappointed with the result considering they were leading 3-2 at half time and only conceded the winning goal in the 93rd minute.
Boss Ralph Hasenhuttl commented after his side's loss that his team could not have done much better in the first half and praised their aggression, but said that Wolfsburg dropped deeper in the second half and came under enormous pressure.
Hasenhuttl has not started the season well with the hosts, but perhaps it would be unfair to be overly critical of his management when factoring in that the Wolves have already played the champions, giants Bayern Munich and 2021-22 Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
Wolfsburg have conceded nine goals in their five competitive matches of 2024-25 and have also scored on nine occasions.
Their home record is concerning, with the club having lost their last three league games at Volkswagen Arena, as well as having lost eight, drawn three and won just two of their last 13 matches at home.
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Opponents Stuttgart come into Saturday's clash full of confidence after they earned their second win of the Bundesliga season when they beat Borussia Dortmund 5-1 on September 22.
In truth, it would not be flattering to suggest that the visitors were utterly commanding during their victory, generating well over three xG, producing eight big chances and limiting Dortmund to just over 0.5 xG.
Manager Sebastian Hoeness said in the aftermath of his side's win that his team are up for more of the same and will look to replicate their strong showing going forward.
While Hoeness will be pleased that his team performed so well, he will likely be more satisfied by the fact his team have seemingly turned a corner given they opened their 2024-25 league campaign with a 3-1 loss against Freiburg on August 24, and a 3-3 draw with Mainz 05 on August 31.
Stuttgart's two wins in the league means they have now won 14 of their last 20 Bundesliga matches, and they have lost just twice in that period.
However, the visitors' away form is mixed with the club having won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five Bundesliga fixtures on the road.
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Team News
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Wolfsburg's list of absentees is extensive and includes Yannick Gerhardt, who picked up a red card last time out and is suspended.
Of the numerous injury absentees, striker Bartosz Bialek is expected to be unavailable for the longest period of time and could be out until late November.
Forward Lukas Nmecha may not feature until the middle of next month, though he is nearing a return after having been out since March due to a groin injury.
Joakim Maehle, Kevin Paredes, Lovro Majer, Rogerio and Tiago Tomas are also expected to be unavailable, although centre-back David Odogu could make an appearance should he recover from illness before Saturday.
As for the visitors, they come into the clash without centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou until January, as well as winger Justin Diehl until November.
Stuttgart also have doubts about the fitness of Nikolas Nartey, Leonidas Stergiou and Ameen Al Dakhil, though all three should return in the next few days at the latest.
Hoeness is almost certain to name a similar XI to the side that beat Dortmund so comprehensively, so expect Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirovic, who both scored in that victory, to start up front.
Atakan Karazor and Angelo Stiller may partner each other in central midfield and look to shield centre-backs Anthony Rouault and Julian Chabot.
Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Grabara; Fischer, Bornauw, Zesiger, Kaminski; Wimmer, Arnold, Svanberg; Baku, Amoura, Wind
Stuttgart possible starting lineup:
Nubel; Vagnoman, Roualt, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Millot, Karazor, Stiller, Leweling; Undav, Demirovic
We say: Wolfsburg 1-2 Stuttgart
Wolfsburg's poor start to the season could continue on Saturday given they face a rejuvenated Stuttgart.
However, last season's runners-up will not find victory easy, and it would not be surprising if they failed to keep a clean sheet.
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Lewis Nolan
